Do I Need a Safety Swimmer If I Can Swim? Explaining the Importance of a Safety Swimmer to Your Underwater Photography Clients
As underwater photographers, we're not just capturing images; we're creating experiences. And a crucial part of that experience is ensuring their safety and comfort. It doesn't matter if you're shooting underwater, in a studio, or a random field. If they hired you for photos, their safety is your top responsibility. No liability waiver in the world will protect you if you could have prevented an accident and you didn't.
One of the most important, yet commonly not utilized aspects of underwater photoshoot safety is the presence and use of a dedicated safety swimmer. It's never a question about a client's swimming abilities; it's about prioritizing their well-being, having an extra set of hands and eyes on standby, and contributing to the overall success of the shoot. If you take any single course UWCA offers, the Essential Practices of Safety is so important because it gives you the foundation to create a safe photoshoot and specifically discusses not only the importance of a safety swimmer, but what to look for when choosing one, and what training and qualification they should have.
If you're reading this post, you probably already know how important safety, and especially the use of a safety swimmer is. The challenge sometimes can be explaining to clients why they need one without provoking a feeling of a lack of confidence in their abilities in the water. This article will equip you with the language and approach to explain the vital role of a safety swimmer to your clients, addressing any potential concerns they might have, and emphasize the value a water safety professional brings to the table.
A Safety Swimmer is There to Build Trust and Confidence
Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to establish a foundation of trust and open communication with your client. Acknowledge their comfort in the water and express appreciation for their confidence and abilities. Frame the discussion about the safety swimmer not as a judgment of their swimming skills, but as a professional practice that prioritizes safety and supports the entire underwater photoshoot experience. Explain that your primary goal is to create stunning images and ensure their well-being throughout the process. With you behind the camera, having an extra person in the water only helps to boost the safety and give them someone who's right there for anything they need. Emphasize that this is standard practice for all professional underwater shoots, not just ones at your studio and, just like having a makeup artist or stylist on set for a boudoir photoshoot, is part of the service and experience of working with a professional photography studio.
Example Script:
"I understand you're a strong swimmer, and that's fantastic! Your comfort in the water is going to be a huge asset. Having a safety swimmer in the water with you isn't about your swimming ability at all. It's about ensuring a safe, smooth, and ultimately successful experience for everyone involved. Think of it less like a lifeguard and more like an extra set of hands (and eyes!) dedicated solely to ensuring the success of your vision. It's about optimizing the entire process, minimizing any potential risks, and allowing you to focus on what you do best: bringing your unique talent and presence to the shoot. Plus, if you lose one of your fake eyelashes, you'll have someone to hand it to!"
Safety Swimmers Reduce Task Loading
Explain the concept of "task loading" in a way that resonates with your client. Relate it to everyday experiences where multitasking can lead to decreased awareness and more stress. Emphasize that underwater, this effect is amplified, as the environment itself demands attention.
Example Script:
"One of the biggest issues you'll deal with in the water is going to be task-loading. You'll have to manage swimming, posing, breath-holding, managing your buoyancy, all while you wear a dress. Also, you won't have a mask on, so seeing what's under the water is going to be really difficult. Think about it this way – even simple tasks become more challenging when you're trying to do multiple things at once. Imagine trying to parallel park while simultaneously talking on the phone and adjusting the radio. It's much harder to do everything perfectly, right? Underwater, this effect is amplified. You'll be focusing on posing, maintaining a calm face and hands, staying neutrally buoyant, and managing your dress or props. Each of these tasks requires concentration. The more you have to manage, the more your attention is divided. This makes it harder to be as aware of your surroundings as you would be if you were simply swimming. It's easy to get caught up in the moment, focusing on nailing the pose, and lose track of where you are in the water, whether you're sinking or floating to the surface, or even how close you are to the pool wall or a rock you can hit your head on. Your safety swimmer's primary role is to reduce that task loading by looking out for safety concerns, helping you with managing the dress or props, and making sure you have someone there that can take care of any other issues you need. They act as a constant, watchful presence, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the creative process without the added burden of constantly assessing your surroundings."
Safety Swimmers See What You Can't Under the Water
When posing underwater, clients aren't going to wear a mask, unless you're doing a freediver style look. That means their perception of distance and objects is distorted, and they can't see as far as if they are wearing a mask. A safety swimmer is there to be their eyes. Describe the unpredictable nature of underwater environments, emphasizing that even seemingly calm waters can harbor hidden challenges. Use relatable analogies to illustrate the potential risks.
Example Script:
"Beyond task loading, the underwater environment can be unpredictable, even in seemingly calm waters. Even in a pool, things can hide under the surface that presents challenges. Think of it like driving – you might be a great driver, but you can't control the actions of other drivers or the sudden appearance of a pothole. Underwater, you won't be wearing a mask, so you can't see what's around you very well. There may be rocks, pool walls, lines or ropes you can get tangled in, or fish and plants that can harm you. A safety swimmer is trained to recognize these potential hazards and react quickly and effectively if needed. They're familiar with local water conditions, they'll see where objects are and how close you are to them, and they'll even watch out for wildlife and entanglement hazards in the water. Their goal is to keep you safe so you can concentrate on the shoot. They're also there to help if something unexpected happens, like a gown getting wrapped around your legs, or if you start sinking and don't realize it. Situations like this make having an extra person on hand the difference between you being safe and an accident from happening."
Wardrobe Malfunctions Happen – Your Safety Swimmer Will Help While You Relax
Explain that the safety swimmer's role extends beyond emergencies, highlighting their practical assistance with posing, wardrobe, and communication.
"Now, let's talk about the practical side of things. A safety swimmer isn't just there for emergencies; they're an invaluable assistant to you throughout the entire shoot. Imagine trying to adjust a dress or fix a piece of fabric while you're trying to hold a pose underwater, all while maintaining neutral buoyancy. It can be tricky, to say the least! The safety swimmer can quickly react and assist with these adjustments so you can focus on a picture-perfect pose. They can also relay messages between you and me, helping with posing suggestions or adjustments based on yours and my feedback. They can even assist with props if needed, such as decor in the water, crowns, wigs, etc. They're essentially your personal underwater stylist, assistant, and communication liaison, allowing you to focus on your performance and create stunning images without the distractions of managing logistics."
They're More Than a Safety Professional, They're Your Coach, Motivator, and Supporter
Emphasize the peace of mind that a safety swimmer provides, not just for the client, but for everyone involved in the shoot.
"Having a safety swimmer present also provides peace of mind, not just for you but for everyone involved in the shoot. Knowing that there's a dedicated person focused solely on safety allows you to relax and fully immerse yourself in the experience. It also reassures your family or friends who might be watching from the surface, knowing that you're in capable hands. The goal is to create a relaxed and confident environment that translates into better results, because you're able to perform at your best when you feel safe and supported."
Every Professional Team Needs Professional People With Professional Standards
Conclude by reiterating the professional nature of having a safety swimmer and framing it as an investment that you, the photographer have made into the overall success of the shoot.
"Ultimately, the goal is to create exceptional images while ensuring everyone's safety and comfort. The safety swimmer is a crucial part of that equation, acting as a dedicated support system that allows you to shine both safely and beautifully. It's an investment in the success of the photoshoot and, more importantly, in your well-being. No underwater photographer should do a shoot without a safety swimmer. There are three keys to a safe shoot and it involves us making sure we're prepared, we're preventing safety hazards where we can, and we communicate effectively. A safety swimmer is a key piece to that process. I want this experience to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible for you. A safety swimmer present is the best way to achieve that"
And there you have it! If you use a combination, or all of these to discuss the importance of a safety swimmer to your clients, you'll be sure they agree it's necessary. Be sure to listen to their concerns and tailor your response to address them directly. By using this approach, you can effectively communicate the importance of a safety swimmer to your clients, building trust, addressing concerns, and ensuring a safe and successful underwater photography experience.