New Wave Swim Bubble for Open Water Swimmers and Triathletes - Be Bright, Be Seen & Be Safer with New Wave While Swimming Outdoors with This Safety Swim Buoy Tow Float

I live close to Lake Michigan so I'm in the lake a lot, which has riptides that cause many drownings per year. I wanted something that would help me feel more comfortable in the water and to make me more visible to boats (1. to avoid being run over and 2. make it easier to spot me in the water in case of an emergency). I'm not a swimmer per se but I tested this while actually swimming and I didn't feel it behind me at all. And because it had no drag in the water, I believe it wouldn't be a hindrance to swimming out of danger if the need arose. In the case of flotation, I put the swim bubble under my arm and it held me up easily. Then I held on to the handle and added my weight by resting my chest on the bubble. It supported me and I paddled around easily and felt very secure. No water safety device is guaranteed to save your life, especially if you are unconscious or something, but this certainly gives me the confidence to, hopefully, keep calm if I ever get into a riptide or other trouble. What I like is the size (not too big and not too small); the color (bright and noticeable from above or from boats); the ease of inflating it (took me four easy breaths to fill--it will be easier for some people and take a couple more breaths for others); it's easy to deflate (open the air valve and gently squeeze the swim bubble until flat). This isn't intended to replace a life jacket or life saver so don't expect it to. But it's easy to use, works great, seems durable (time will tell) and overall it's as advertised.

I’m not very confident at swimming, so I used to be afraid of swimming in the ocean, but this item helps me feel safe and able to enjoy it. Thanks to it, I can enjoy the sea much more. I especially think the easy air-inflation feature is a genius idea!

I'm 65 and was practicing for a 2 miles open water swim. which I had never before. My daughter suggested it for safety, because I was swimming alone on a lake that has some boats. (It's stupid enough that I'm swimming alone, so it was obviously a good idea, right?) It's no noticeable drag when swimming, it's highly visible, and it didn't leak. Although clearly it's not intended for this (-- swim at your own risk and all that--) I did pause and hang onto it occasionally, partly just to see if it would pop, partly to see if it would keep me afloat if I had a massive cramp nd couldn't swim another stroke; it was enough flotation that I'm pretty sure it would keep me alive for a bit in such an emergency. Of course it's an inexpensive plastic bag, so I wouldn't be shocked if someone got a defective one periodically or if it leaked after a couple dozen uses, but mine was great and I did 3 practice swims and one event with it. Perfect for what I bought it for.

Easy to inflate and deflate, stays out of your way while swimming, and buoyant enough for brief support during rests. I would give it 5 stars but the belt can expand while swimming, leaving it to slip down onto your hips.

We bought this item as a gift for a friend who swims every day in a river where many boats drive around. It’s incredibly well made and easy to use. She likes that it doesn’t drag as she is swimming. The color is great and keeps her safe in the water. It’s definitely worth it.

I’ve been swimming with it. Buoyant-does the job. Also visible from shore.

These are perfect for making swimmers visible in open water. We used it for snorkeling trips in Florida, it was easy to spot our swimmers to make sure they were safe. We also use them in lakes when free swimming to be visible to any boaters.

Excellent. Reassuring using this.