When you’re out on the water, it’s important to be seen. That’s why it’s a good idea to choose high-visibility (hi-viz) colours for your water sports equipment. Hi-viz colours are bright and easy to see, even in low light conditions and keep you visible. This can help you stay visible and stay safe by making it more likely that other boaters, wild swimmers and watercraft operators will see you.
There are a few different hi-viz colours that are popular for water sports equipment. The most popular colours to increase your visibility are orange, yellow and green. These colours are bright, highly visible, and they also contrast well with the blue-green color of water.
Which Hi Viz Colour is most visible to water users?
There is no concrete anwser, there is interesting evidence and arguments for GREEN. However, having hi viz products to assist your visibility be it Yellow, Orange, Pink or Green. The Key is to have hi viz! These hi viz colours are perfect for accents on swimming wetsuits, Tow Floats, Swimming Gloves, Flotation devices, buoyancy aids, Swim Caps, buoys, flags etc.
Most Used high Vis Colours.
Hi Viz Orange
Some will argue that Orange is the most visible colour in water. It reflects more light than other colours, and it also stands out against the blue-green colour of water. This makes orange one of the best choices for safety equipment and other items that need to be seen easily on water.
Hi Viz Yellow
Others will argue that Yellow is the most visible colour in water. There is a debate about which colour is the most visible in water, but some argue that Yellow takes the crown. Yellow is the complementary colour to blue, and since water appears blue, yellow creates possibly the highest contrast and is very easy to see. In addition to this, yellow is a primary colour, which means it is present in a vast array of objects, from natural environments like pebbles and sand to artificial products like buoys and boats. In fact, many safety devices and equipment meant for use on water are yellow, such as lifejackets and rescue tubes. Therefore, yellow is more familiar to the human eye when it comes to water-related matters, enhancing its visibility. Finally, yellow is also associated with warning and danger, which further attracts attention and makes it easier to spot in case of an incident. In conclusion, while different people have different opinions, yellow is undoubtedly a colour that stands out in water when used in the right context and for the right purpose.
Hi Viz Green
Green is also a very good colour for water safety equipment. In fact, a study conducted by Mustang Survival (https://mustangsurvival.com/blogs/resources/on-water-visibility) found that fluorescent green immersion suits routinely beat standard oranges, reds, and yellows in terms of visual detection in water – particularly in low-light conditions.
Green may be better than orange for visibility in water because it reflects more light in the blue-green spectrum of light, which is the same spectrum of light that water reflects. This means that green is more visible to the human eye when it is seen against a background of water.
In addition, green is a more common color in nature than orange, so it is less likely to be mistaken for something else, such as a rock or a piece of debris. This can help to improve safety by making it more likely that other boaters and watercraft operators will see you.
So, if you are looking for a hi-viz color that will help you stay safe on the water, hi viz green could be a better choice than orange.
Other Hi-Viz Colours
Other hi-viz colours that are also visible on water include pink, red, and white. However, yellow, orange and green are the most visible colours, so they are the best choice for safety equipment and other items that need to be seen easily on water.
Tips for Choosing Hi-Viz Colours for Water
When choosing hi-viz colours for water, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Choose a colour that reflects more light. This will make the item more visible, especially at night.
- Choose a colour that stands out against the background. In the case of water, this means choosing a colour that contrasts with the blue-green colour of water.
- Choose a colour that is appropriate for the environment. For example, if you will be boating in a marine environment, you may want to choose a colour that is approved by the RLNI.
By following these tips, you can choose hi-viz colours that will help you stay safe on the water.
High Visibility water safety equipment.
Here is a list of water safety equipment that commonly use high visibility (hi-viz) colours for increased visibility:
Life Jackets: Life jackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs) are often designed with hi-viz colours such as bright orange, yellow, or neon green. These colours make it easier for rescuers to spot individuals in the water.
Lifebuoys/Ring Buoys: Lifebuoys, also known as ring buoys or life rings, are typically painted in bright colours like orange, yellow, or red. These colours help them stand out against the water, making them more visible and easier to locate during water rescues.
Throw Bags: Throw bags are essential rescue tools that contain a length of rope or line. They are often constructed with bright colors like neon green, yellow, or red to ensure easy identification and quick access in emergency situations.
Rescue Floats and Tubes: Rescue floats and tubes used by lifeguards and water rescue professionals are frequently designed with hi-viz colours. These flotation devices are often in shades of orange, yellow, or red to maximize visibility in the water.
Rescue Flags: Flags used for marking hazards or indicating safe areas in water bodies are often bright and highly visible. They may be in solid colours like red or orange or feature contrasting colours to attract attention and provide clear visual signals.
Dive Flags: Dive flags are used to indicate divers in the water. These flags are typically designed with bright colours like red, orange, or yellow and often feature a distinctive white diagonal stripe for enhanced visibility.
Floating Safety Lines: Floating safety lines or ropes are used to create boundaries or safety perimeters in open water areas. They are often made in bright colours, such as yellow, orange, or luminous green, to make them highly visible to boaters and wild swimmers.
Water Rescue Helmets: Helmets used by water rescue teams often incorporate hi-viz colours to increase visibility in emergency situations. These helmets are commonly designed in bright shades like yellow, orange, or fluorescent green.
- Tow Floats: Tow Floats are used by open water swimmers to increase visibility to other water users whilst swimming. These tow floats are commonly designed in bright shades like yellow, orange, or fluorescent green. However, as they are often misunderstood, some companies sel them in Black and other redundant colours.
It’s important to note that the specific colour choices for water safety equipment may vary depending on local regulations or organisational preferences. However, the common goal is to maximise visibility and ensure that the equipment stands out in water environments, making it easier for rescuers and individuals in distress to be located quickly.
Conclusion
Choosing the right hi-viz colours for your water sports equipment can help you stay safe on the water. By choosing colours that are visible, you can make it more likely that other boaters, jet skiers, open water swimmers and watercraft operators will see you. This can help prevent accidents and keep you safe while you’re enjoying the water.
Q: What is the importance of high visibility colours in water sports equipment?
A: High visibility colours make it easier for other watercrafts to see you, reducing the risk of accidents and collisions.
Q: What is the best high-visibility colour for water sports equipment?
A: Fluorescent yellow-green is considered the best high-visibility colour for water sports equipment as it enhances visibility and is easily visible in low light conditions.
Q: What is the significance of reflective material in water sports equipment?
A: Reflective material increases the visibility of the wearer by reflecting back the light from other sources, such as other boats, headlights, or streetlights.
Q: What is the best reflective material for water sports equipment?
A: The best reflective material for water sports equipment is one that has a high amount of reflectivity and can reflect light in as many directions as possible. Some popular reflective materials include reflective gear, reflective stripes, reflective strips, and reflective tape.
Q: What should I look for in high-visibility clothing and equipment?
A: When looking for high-visibility clothing and equipment, look for garments and equipment with fluorescent colours and reflective material. Also, make sure that the garment or equipment is breathable and comfortable to wear.
Q: What is the significance of a hi-vis vest for someone who participates in triathlon?
A: A hi-vis vest is essential for a triathlete as it increases the chances of being seen by other athletes and ensuring safety.
Q: What are some tips to increase visibility during open water swimming?
A: Wear high-visibility wetsuit and equipment such as a brightly coloured swim cap and a brightly coloured tow float. Also, consider wearing reflective material and swimming with a partner or in a group to increase visibility.
Q: What is the significance of reflective tape in high-visibility clothing and equipment?
A: Reflective tape enhances the visibility of the wearer or equipment by reflecting back light from other sources, increasing visibility and reducing the risk of accidents.
