As the inventor and developer of the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s SaferSwimmer, I’d like to address a few of the comments in this thread. First, this is not something that is towed. It rides in the eddy or drag created by the swimmer’s back and is actually pushed forward and kept within the eddy by the leash. The original intent and genesis of the idea came in 1981 when I swam across Lake Zurich in my speedo. Almost run over by a fast moving boat, I was advised to get a red cap. It didn’t help. On another trip, I left one side and it was sunny and 80 degrees. When I landed it was freezing cold and I was without money or clothes. After making some prototypes that would address these two swims followed - allowing me to swim, without an hinderance or obstruction to my stroke. Then a little over two years ago - a friend of mine died in an open water swimming race for no apparent cause and I look back on my life as an open water swimmer, lifeguard coach and parent several incidents made me recognize this device could be used for greater good. Two of the incidents occurred to my son, Wolf Wigo, a 3 x Olympic water polo player - and recently the color commentator on NBC for the Olympic water polo broadcast. The first incident occurred when he was body surfing in Perth Australia. He had apparently eaten some bad muscles and had a first time attack of anaphylaxis and went into shock 100 yards off shore. Fortunately some of his teammates were there to save him. In another incident, he suffered shallow water blackout doing underwater training in a swimming pool. Then there was the death of Fran Crippen at World Championship open water race in the middle east… so recognizing that the water is a dangerous element, or can be, to some of the best watermen in the world, we developed or product. In my youth, when I would swim a mile offshore in New Jersey training for lifeguard races, I probably would have scoffed at this idea too. Like the veteran hockey players who refused to wear helmets or bikers who railed against helmets - but no longer. I comment Rick and others who are developing products that will make the Swimming Safer and hope that someday we can reduce the number of tragedies - which is the mission of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. And we are gratified that our device has been credited with saving several lives.
Ours may not be for everyone, but When considering personal safety and peace of mind for you and those who care about you consider the following advantages of this device:
- It makes you visible to boaters, jet skis, kite boarders or other potential human hazards while you are swimming;
- It can be used as a floatation device when you need it in the case of cramps, dizziness or injury and it can also be used to rescue others;
- It can also keep your “stuff” safe while your swimming or allows you to take along your “stuff” on one-way swims across rivers or lakes.
Unlike running, when a swimmer suffers a stroke, heart attack or unconsciousness you sink and disappear below the water. As a recent incident at Christmas Lake in Minnesota demonstrated, when observers saw the SaferSwimmer™** **Float not moving, it alerted them in time to revive and save the life a swimmer who otherwise could have been added to the not insignificant number of open water swimmers who have drowned in recent years. Most notably, the great American open water swimmer, Fran Crippen.
*A final point to consider is that 100% of profits support the operation and programs of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF). To order a SaferSwimmer or for information about ISHOF visit www.saferswimmer.com
The International Swimming Hall of Fame was established in 1965 as a not-for-profit educational organization in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Its mission is to promote the benefits and importance of swimming as a key to fitness, good health, improved quality of life and the water safety of all adults and children. http://www.ishof.org
I just wanted to thank you for this. I have ordered one and my parents are muling it down here (where I live the post is “iffy” to say the least and not to be trusted) and I hope to be using it soon. I swim in an area of boat traffic and am asthmatic. Wearing a pink and/or red cap and a white rashguard help for visibility, but not for asthma. Thanks again!