My first Tri will be next week. When I bike and run, I really like to know my heart rate at any given times, really helps to know wheter I'm pushing too much or not enough (or just enough...)

I do not have a HRM-Tri or HRM-swim, and quite frankly, I'm a bit dissapointed to see that the HRM-tri isn't that good in a pool, and that the HRM-swim isn't very confortable for biking and running (The swim part of that first Tri will be in a pool).

What are my options? Can I wear my normal Garmin HRM strap (without sensor) during the swim, and quickly snap the sensor on the strap during th first transition?

Any other ideas, or do I really need to buy that expensive swimproof HRM if I want HR info during the bike and run part of my triathlons?

Thank you!