The colour of your costume could be a matter of life and death this festive season. Whether you plan to swim in the ocean or a resort or public pool, what you wear matters.

Why is that? Because certain colour swimsuits are known to be less visible in water.

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) media spokesperson Craig Lambinon advises swimmers to wear bright, fluorescent colours, such as orange, pink, green and yellow.

However, bright pink is best for visibility, he says. This is why the NSRI chose pink as its primary colour for its award-winning Pink Rescue Buoy initiative. Launched in 2017, it won the International Maritime Rescue Federation Award for Innovation and Technology in 2018.

Lambinon says the NSRI tested the visibility of a variety of colours, including red and yellow, traditionally used for lifesaving equipment. The research found that neon pink was easiest to spot in a variety of water conditions. This enhanced visibility allows lifeguards to monitor swimmers effectively and respond swiftly in emergencies.

Pink buoys have since been adopted in other countries, including New Zealand.

“We also advise paddlers and surfers to place bright-coloured reflective 3M tape on their boards,” he says.

With only 15% of South Africans able to swim, according to the executive director of drowning prevention at the NSRI, Jill Fortuin, bathers must take every precaution to stay safe this festive season.