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Drowning caused 70,034 deaths in South-East Asia in 2019, reports the World Health Organization.
Sorry to start on a morbid note, but the reality is that water can be dangerous, especially for untrained swimmers. That is why swim schools in Singapore offer essential training for citizens.
As a tropical island nation, the chances of water accidents are high. Underwater visibility can make all the difference, and the right color swimming gear can save lives. So, how do you choose?
This article will help you pick the safest swim essentials for you and your family. We will also look at how vital swimming lessons are for safety.
Read on before taking your next dip!
Swim Schools Singapore: Bright by the Pool
Alive Solutions Inc. studied underwater visibility in 2019. The results showed that bright colors, like neon oranges, yellows, pinks, and greens were the most visible at shallow depths.
Lighter tones were harder to see due to reflections on the surface. Polarized sunglasses could reduce this effect, but better to stay safe with bold neon tones.
Wide, dark stripes on bright neons decreased underwater visibility. Subtle patterns had less of an effect, but solid neon swimming gear is the safest. Save the fashion statements for city life!
Deep Blue Sea
The Deep Ocean Education Project found that blue objects are more visible in deep water. However, this effect starts at around 50 meters, far deeper than a swimmer needs to think about.
Aquatic Admirers
Hair-raising note: Bright colors have been found to attract sharks in some cases. This is one of the reasons divers wear dark wetsuits. However, given the unlikely chance of a shark attack in the pool, drowning prevention is your absolute priority.
Pick Your Swimming Gear
Your choice of swim essentials depends on what type of swimming you want to do. The basics are the same for most forms, but you may need extra items for open-water swimming.
Swimming Goggles
True swim essentials, goggles have two benefits: They improve your underwater visibility and protect your eyes from chemicals.
Water refracts light before it reaches your retinas, absorbing its energy and making things look dim and blurry. This effect, called stereoscopic acuity, makes it hard to judge distances, so you could hit the poolside by accident.
Chlorine in swimming pools irritates your eyes. Freshwater swimming could expose you to bacteria and pollutants too, so keep your eyes safe with goggles in bright colors.
Well-fitted Swimsuit
The Speedo look works for some, but you may feel uncomfortable wearing them in public. Long swim shorts affect your speed, weighing you down and increasing drag when they get wet.
Nylon swimsuits are unisex and ensure streamlined movement in the water. They also show less skin than Speedos or bikini-style suits.
Swimming Cap
Chlorine dries and damages your hair. If your locks are long, you may find you lose more hair than normal when you start swimming. Caps also cut down on floating hairballs in your local pool.
Kickboards and Armbands
Kickboards help keep you buoyant while you learn effective kicking techniques. Armbands are a bit clumsy, but they help your young ones start their aquatic journey. They will make arm strokes harder to learn though.
Ear Plugs and Nose Clips
Earplugs help avoid swimmer's ear and other bacterial infections. Nose clips look a bit odd, but burning chlorine deep in your nose plain stings.
Style and Comfort
Try out swimming gear in the store to make sure it fits. Comfort is key, but remember that fabric expands a bit in the water, so a tighter fit on land helps you stay streamlined in the pool.
Use a bit of color theory to match your swim essentials. Choose complementary or triadic color schemes for eye-catching results.
What to Look for in Swim Schools in Singapore
Okay, you've decided to get into the water. Great! Swimming is an essential life skill, especially when you live on an island.
Focus on Safety
Safety is a core part of swim lessons in Singapore. You and your family will learn to tread water, get out, and avoid dangers. The best swim schools in Singapore will teach realistic scenarios in the water, like falling into the water fully clothed - wear your old stuff for this!
Teacher Credentials
Swim schools in Singapore should be on the National Registry of Coaches (NROC). This ensures they meet the requirements for safe teaching. The NROC started in 2003 and is like a seal of approval for coaches.
All teachers in Singapore need to be registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE). Check for this before you start lessons.
Student-teacher Ratio
You want a balance of teacher attention and social interaction. A crowded pool casts your teacher's focus too wide. An empty pool with 2 or 3 students feels like all eyes are on you.
Easy to Access
We all know how busy the Singapore commute is, so make sure you can get to the pool on time. Close is convenient, but better lessons could be one extra stop on the MRT. Schools with multiple locations are key.
Safe, Fun, Social Atmosphere
Adult swimming lessons in Singapore can be perfect ways to network and build relationships. For parents, swimming lessons help your child's social, physical, and cognitive development. You may find it hard to keep up as they get older!
Training Programs and Advancement
You may want to get specific training at your school. Ask which courses they offer and what rates they set. You may be able to enter competitions as you progress or study qualifications to become an instructor yourself.
Looking for Swim Lessons in Singapore?
Swim Masters Singapore has taught countless students to stay safe in the water. Our MOE-registered team is NROC or STA-certified with years of experience. We are at the top of the wave of swim schools in Singapore.
Whether you're looking for child or adult swimming lessons, we will help you succeed. We have 5 locations across our city-state, so it is easy for you to reach our pools. Our e-lessons are perfect for busy lifestyles, but there is no substitute for learning in the water.
Want peace of mind? Book your SwimSafer test!
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