I’ve been doing a lot of open water swimming and some days the ocean is pretty rough. I used to fear those days and now I enjoy them - almost like skiing moguls combined with body surfing. I almost always swim alone. While I have finally become really comfortable in the ocean, I can see that this could be dangerous- for example, how a mis-timed breath could accidentally result in water aspiration, possibility for exhaustion or how even a jellyfish sting could even result in anaphylaxis, etc.
I try to always wear a bright yellow swim cap to avoid any errant boaters. (we have a “swim lane” that is supposed to be boat free but there are still kayakers, SUP’s and even the paddling teams that occasionally encroach or cross paths.
One feature I see for the **Safe Swimmer float **is a place put a water bottle (tho I can go for an hour w/o a drink!) or even a GoPro (to catch the dolphins). Safety feature, as well, re visibility. One disadvantage is having to inflate it each time (too big to store inflated in my trunk). Also, another bulky thing to haul around? If inflated with a pump, yet another piece of gear needed. Most of our free divers do tow a dive float, so doing something for OWS would not look completely bizarre. Biggest downside I see is need to inflate it each time?
**Swim IT **seems like a great idea- as long as you are conscious and able to inflate it when needed (i.e., an arrhythmia with sudden death = no use. Then again, if you are 500 yds from shore and alone, you’re dead anyway). It can’t be used to “rest”, it doesn’t contribute to visibility. It is really just for “emergency” use. On the plus side, doesn’t add a lot of bulk to gear bag. Also, adds almost no “prep time” to your workout- just strap it on. Comfort might be an issue? Especially if you have short-ish thighs?
Does anyone have any experience with either device? Comfort? SS float interfering with stroke? As “just” an emergency device, Swim IT seems reasonable. The float seems like a more useful device as it (seems to me that it) will assist visibility, can be used for “resting”, can be used to carry some gear, etc.
Safe swimmer float is what I use when swimming alone parallel to the shoreline where a family member lives on the lake. I really do not notice the drag of the device and it does make me more visible in the water which is a good thing. The comments about inflating it are non-sense as it doesn’t really take much to use your own lungs to do the job. One can put whatever they need in the dry compartment.
re inflate- the “comments” were actually my questions, not statements. From pic on trisports.com kinda hard to tell how big it really is and how much it actually takes to inflate it. Sorry if that was not clear. Since I swim about 3x/week and would need to inflate/deflate before/after each swim, just didn’;t know how big of a PITA that really was. (I get really tired of blowing up the sex doll, afterall. Wanted to make sure I still had enough strength and lung power left for the actual swim)
Seriously, it’s one of the best pieces of tri equipment I have. I do all my OWS alone, and I carry my sandals, car keys, even iPhone in this thing. Runkeeper will track my swim through the drybag, since it stays on the surface of the water. It stores completely flat, inflates and does up in seconds, and just does its job really well. Highly recommend.
My chief concern in looking for a float is for visibility for safety when swimming alone or with a friend on shore, and sometimes a safe/dry place to put my stuff.
I bought a 20L bright yellow dry bag for $25, attached a webbing strap with a buckle to it and it works great. I’ve thought about the benefit of having handles like on the specific floats, but I have other places to spend my pennies.
It is slightly larger than a football when inflated. I use one. The biggest advantage over the swim it is that it is bright orange and floats behind you. The swim it is invisible until deployed via co2. Drag is not a factor.
+1
We have 2 safer swimmers and would not OWS out side of a race without them. Not much drag. Can be a “dry” bag for carrying stuff (I would be worried about non waterproof electronics though). While it is not a PFD, it is able to keep me afloat as long as I can hold on to it. Our first one has lasted 3 years and is still going strong.
My chief concern in looking for a float is for visibility for safety when swimming alone or with a friend on shore, and sometimes a safe/dry place to put my stuff.
I bought a 20L bright yellow dry bag for $25, attached a webbing strap with a buckle to it and it works great. I’ve thought about the benefit of having handles like on the specific floats, but I have other places to spend my pennies.Same here, dry bag, red/orange. I have a safety device for OWS, and a dry bag for other activities. Better also than leaving my keys on beach.
I use something similar to the float that I bought through Clever Training via DC Rainmaker. I had my wife stand on shore the first time I used it and she was amazed at how visible I was, even from far away. It also acts a a float for my fat ass (almost 200 pounds), which gives me extra peace of mind should I ever get in trouble.
I’ve used it on rough days in the Chesapeake Bay, you know it’s there when you swim into the waves but it isn’t a big deal. When the water is calm, I don’t even notice it.
I only swim OW and i use the Safe Swimmer. it can lag and pull a bit if you keep the leash long on rough water but i love the floating aspect of it. i rarely deflate it and it can get a little moldy on the inside and i actually had one leak but the manufacturer replaced it very easily. i really have no complaints and use it 3-4 times a week all year long. i’m on my second one.
Curious if any of the pulling along an inflatable crowd uses it in the rough ocean the OP is describing. That doesn’t sound fun.I do. No big deal, barely notice it
