Open water swimming has many benefits from boosting your mood and mental health to improving your heart health which is no surprise it’s seen a massive take up in 2021. This increase has been in part due to the pandemic and also the increased press coverage of its recognised benefits from mental health to menopause symptoms.

Outdoor swimming has proven to increase dopamine and serotonin levels and stimulates the release of feel-good endorphins. A study reported an immediate improvement in mood following each swim and a sustained, gradual reduction in symptoms of depression.

Also, it has been proven by scientists that by being immersed in cold water three times a week increases your white blood counts which helps fight infection and boost your immune system by activating antibodies and increasing metabolic rate.

Safety Awareness

This increase in swimming in the sea, lakes and rivers has heightened awareness of the safety aspects of the activity and lead to the development of some innovative safety aids. All outdoor swimmers should already be using a tow float and brightly coloured swim hat to be seen in the water but in some scenarios, you may want an alternative to the tow float. This is where the Restube comes in to its own.

The Restube was originally developed as a device for kite surfers and paddle boarders as a lightweight self-inflating safety buoy to make water sports safer. The device which was designed in Germany is worn around your waist in a small bum bag. If you do fall into the water and get in to trouble you can pull the cord and inflate the buoy and use it to rest on until you can get help.

Restube for Swimmers and Triathletes

Restube has gone from developing a safety buoy for wind surfers to developing three different products including one for swimmers. The have the Restube Beach, Restube Active and Restube Extreme. As the names suggest the Beach is for recreation and family use, the Active for swimming, triathlon, SUPs etc and the Extreme for rough conditions. I tried and tested the Active version.

As an engineer I got to work finding out what the Restube was made of and found it was a Velcro bum bag with a yellow inflatable buoy which is inflated by a gas cannister. As a triathlete I recognised the gas cartridge which is the same as that used for inflating bike tyres! So, if you do use the Restube you know you can “re-arm” it is using an easy to source C02 cartridge.

Would you like a FREE swimming workouts for triathletes e-book with tips, workouts, drills and more – download it here.

Trying the Restube in the Sea in the Costa Del Sol

I live in Southern Spain so trying swimming products is easy for me all year round. I drove down to the beach in a town called Torrox on the Costa del Sol to give this device a try. The Restube is small and lightweight and goes around your waist like a bum bag. For swimming with the device, I would recommend putting the “bum bag” in the small of your back and ensure the strap is quite tight as when you get in the water it does slacken off with the water.

It’s comfortable to swim with and you forget it’s there but when you need it, it inflates quickly with a firm tug on the cord. When inflated, being a tube shape, you can literally rest on it in the water buy draping your arms over it. The buoy is attached to the bum bag by a tether so you can swim with it like a traditional tow float.

If you like the feeling of swimming without a conventional tow float but like the reassurance of a safety aid should you need it then this maybe for you. I would however make sure you always swim with a buddy and wear a brightly coloured swimming hat so you can be seen in the water. The ChiliTri swim hat is ideal!

Get your FREE open water swimming workouts book here.

The parts of the Restube showing the standard CO2 cartridge next to a bike tyre inflator

How to Re-pack the Restube Active

Once used the Restube needs to be deflated, re-armed with a new CO2 cartridge and re-packed. It’s easy to re-arm and re-pack and I used the video below. Note that the Restube CO2 Cartridge is rated at 10.9g whereas the bike ones are usually 16g so it's best to use the Restube ones which you can purchase here.

Open Water Swimming Safety Tips

1. Check in with a lifeguard

Aside from making sure a lifeguard is on duty, check in with him before you get in the water. Unlike a swimming pool, ocean and beach conditions are constantly changing, but lifeguards know where the riptides are and what the water quality is like.

2. Breathe on both sides

If you’re teaching yourself basic swim strokes, make sure you learn how to breathe on both sides—not just one. Breathing on your left and on right side every three to five strokes allows you to watch out for kite surfers, windsurfers, sail boats, power boats, and marine life. It also balances out your swim stroke, reducing your chances of getting swimmer’s shoulder.

3. Swim with a buddy

A swim buddy helps keep you accountable, safe, and working hard. Before you swim make sure you agree where you are going, how far and agree on a safety procedure should be get in to trouble. Having a buddy is also an extra pair of eyes to spot jet skis, boats etc

4. Swim in a designated swimming area

Most parks, beaches, and lakes have designated times where swimming is allowed, as well as flags indicating borders in which you can swim. If you’re in an area without a designated swim zone, swim with a qualified kayaker. If you don’t have this then ask a friend to walk the shoreline or stand guard while you swim. Bottom line: Never swim alone.

5. When in doubt, get out

If you are in the water and something doesn’t feel right trust your gut. Maybe the current is starting to get rough, a storm is approaching, or your body is struggling to keep up (due to muscle cramps, fatigue, exhaustion). Get out of the water and come back another day

6. Stay alert

Be aware of what’s going on around you and listen for motor sounds. Take your head out of the water and look straight ahead periodically to make sure you’re not headed toward something potentially dangerous, or that you’re not drifting too far from shore. It’s very important to practice swimming freestyle with your head up and sighting, so you can check the buoy markers during the race and continue to swim as straight to the goal as possible. This is also crucial during races. The swim portions of triathlon are notoriously crowded. Look up to make sure you don’t swim into anyone or get kicked in the head.

7. Take a break if you need

It’s OK to, on occasion, flip on your back and enjoy some of the scenery during your open-water swims. Also, if you swallow water, relax, slow down, and collect yourself while treading water for a few seconds. It’s common to feel panicked if you can’t get your breathing right at first—especially if you’re competing in a long-distance race for the first time. You want your strokes and pace to be controlled, so take time to reset yourself if things become a bit erratic.

8. Wear a wetsuit and brightly coloured hat

While not totally necessary, wearing a wetsuit drastically improves your buoyancy and your body’s insulation. Full-body swimming wetsuits (not surfers’ wetsuit) are ideal for open-water swimming, especially if the water is cold. They can also help your body regulate its temperature, so you can focus on keeping your breathing and strokes controlled. If you’re freezing, you run the risk of rushing and becoming frenzied. If you get tired, the suit will also help you float so you don’t have to work as aggressively to tread water. Wear a brightly coloured swim hat so you can be seen in the water. Tow floats can also help with this and using one with a drybag area can be used to store things like a mobile phone and hydration.

Get your FREE swimming workouts for triathletes book here.

Chilitri swimming hat - brightly coloured which is ideal for open water and sea swimming

9. Learn when to draft and when to drift

Try to work with other swimmers by drafting (swimming within a few feet behind another swimmer or at their side) off each other. Unlike pool swimming, where everyone stays in their lane, open water can be much more physical, but drafting can ease some of the toll by lessening the drag. Stay close but be respectful of other swimmers’ space (e.g., don’t claw your partner’s feet every other stroke).

10. Pace yourself

If you’re a beginner, take your time and build your effort throughout the swim. Take regular freestyle ‘breaks’ by taking relaxed breaststroke or backstroke. Keep your tempo consistent and as high as possible, keeping in mind the distance of your race or the distance you have decide to swim.

The Verdict

The Restube is a convenient safety device and can be used for swimming and many other water sports. For swimmers who use a tow float to as a dry bag and to be seen when swimming then the Restube may not be for you. But if you want to swim in open water safe in the knowledge that if you get in to trouble or a fellow swimmer gets in to trouble the Restube means you have a safety buoy with you.

Would you like a FREE swimming workouts for triathletes e-book with tips, workouts, drills and more – download it here.

Types and Prices of Restube

You can purchase a Restube direct from their UK website or at Amazon.

Restube Beach for recreation & family (160g)

Price: €49.95/£49.95

Restube Active for all-round & athletic use (195g) – this one is ideal for swimming outdoors

Price: €79.95/£79.95

Restube Extreme for rough conditions (255g)

Price: €99.95/£99.95

Would you like a FREE open water swimming workouts e-book with tips, workouts, drills and more – download it here.

Other Restube Products

Restube have other products such as the safety whistle and safety light. You can attached them to a tow flow or use them on other adventures like hiking. I have purchased both of them and they are both good quality. The light is waterproof and comes in a few colours. The light has a few modes - constant torch light, flashing fast and flashing slow.

Restube Waterproof Safety Light

Restube Safety Whistle

Karen Parnell is a Level 3 British Triathlon Coach, 8020 Endurance and IRONMAN Certified Coach, WOWSA Level 3 open water swimming coach and NASM Personal Trainer and Sports Technology Writer. Karen has a certificate in Sport Nutrition and Advanced Clinical Weightless Practitioner.

Need a training plan? I have plans on TrainingPeaks and FinalSurge marketplace:

TrainingPeaks

FinalSurge

8020 Polarised Training Plans

I also coach a very small number of athletes one to one for all triathlon distances, open water swimming events and running races, email me for details and availability. karen.parnell@chilitri.com

Restube FAQ

What is Restube?

Restube is a product for more safety in the water. Small and light, Restube is always with you. Simply strap it around your waist or on your equipment and get into the water. If necessary, pull the trigger vigorously and the yellow Restube buoy inflates in seconds. If you lean over the buoy, your head rises out of the water. Now you have time to orientate yourself and recharge your batteries. Restube is perfect to provide buoyancy for yourself or for others.

Does Restube help with swimmer safety?

Water is a wonderful and beautiful part of our world, and we love to spend time in and on the water. However, water also poses hazards for us. Even good swimmers can get into tricky situations: a strong cramp, an equipment failure, or a friend who suddenly needs help. However, deliberate and responsible action can drastically minimize risks: for example, by taking along an additional buoyancy device like Restube. It adds safety for many unpredictable situations.

What is the difference between Restube beach, active and extreme?

Restube beach has a buoyancy of 50N and is ideal for families, children and seniors for leisure activities on and in the water. It is also suitable for stand up paddlers in swimwear in the summer – wherever there are no swimming aid regulations. Restube active has 75N buoyancy and is ideal for swimming or stand-up paddling, for training or competitions. Restube extreme has a buoyancy of 75 N and is suitable for rough conditions when kite- and windsurfing, surfing or in professional use.

Get your FREE Open Water Swimming workouts book here.

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