Frequently Asked Question

A selection of frequently asked questions about setting up and using Swim Secure products safely. 

HOW DO I INFLATE MY SWIM SECURE FLOAT? 

Our Tow Floats and Dry Bags have two different types of values - a red cylinder valve and a black Boston valve. To inflate the red cylinder valve you will need to remove the dust cap and blow into the top. The valve is one way and no air will escape once you have inflated it. Replace the dust cap once fully inflated. 

The black Boston valve has a small cap which you will need to unscrew. Once opened, blow into the valve - this is a one-way valve and will not let any air out once you have inflated the bag. For extra safety and to avoid damaging it, screw the top safety cap over the valve. 

HOW DO I DEFLATE MY SWIM SECURE FLOAT? 

To deflate Tow Floats or Dry Bags use the top of the cap to press on the top of the valve - this works best at a 45 degree angle. To deflate the black Boston valve on the Pink Dry Bag and Wild Swim Bag unscrew the entire valve housing clockwise until the air is released. Be sure to screw it back on to avoid losing the valve. 

If you have lost the dust cap you can still deflate your float by pressing a pen lid or similar against the top of the valve. Please note the dust cap does not have any air retention function.

HOW DO I ATTACH THE WAIST BELT AND LEASH? 

Loop the leash back on itself through the bottom handle of the Tow Float or Dry Bag, as per the diagram. Put the waist belt through the loop at the other end of the leash. The waist belt can be adjusted by sliding the buckle. 

WILL I FEEL THE FLOAT DRAGGING BEHIND ME?

All Swim Secure Tow Floats and Dry Bags are designed to give minimal drag when towed. Even the larger Dry Bags produce a surprisingly small amount of resistance, and generally you won't even notice that the bag or float is there. Dry Bags have a maximum load wight printed on them, under which the buoyancy of the bag will counteract the displacement caused by the contents, and drag will increase. 

WILL MY TOW FLOAT GET IN THE WAY WHILE I SWIM? 

Swim Secure products are designed to float behind the swimmer, above the knees and out of the way of arms and legs. If you find that your float is getting in the way of your stroke you can shorten the leash by doubling it up, looping it around the float's handle, and passing both end loops over the waist belt. 

Strong winds may cause a Tow Float or Dry Bag to be blown towards the swimmer. In these conditions we recommend swimming into the wind to avoid the Tow Float being blown forward and shortening the leash as above. 

DO YOU SELL LARGER WAIST BELTS?

We have had to design our waist belts to fit a wide range of people which means they will be too large or small for some swimmers. The waist belt is designed to be modular, meaning two or more can be clipped together if needed and adjusted. Additional waist belts are available for purchase. 

WILL MY TOW FLOAT / DRY BAG KEEP ME AFLOAT? 

Swim Secure products are not buoyancy aids and do not provide any kind of buoyancy while in use. They float behind the swimmer on a short leash attached to a waist belt. While all Swim Secure Tow Floats and Dry Bags will hold an adult's weight if necessary this is not their primary or designed purpose and they are not intended to be used in this way. They should only be used by competent swimmers and not relied on for any buoyancy. 

HOW WATERPROOF ARE SWIM SECURE PRODUCTS? 

Swim Secure products are designed to be waterproof at surface pressure. Dry Bags should be folded over at least three times to the level shown on the back of the bag. The three seals on the Bum Bags and two on the Phone Bag should be individually closed and the flap secured by the velcro. If you are storing your cell phone or electronic car keys in a Tow Donut or Dry Bag we recommend placing it in a Swim Secure Protective Phone Bag first for added peace of mind and as an extra layer of protection. 

The Swim Secure Waterproof Bum Bag has been tested to IPX8 standards, meaning it is suitable for continuous immersion at depths below one metre. 

HOW DO I CLOSE MY DRY BAG? 

The golden rule with closing your Swim Secure Dry Bag is to fold the seal over three times. There is an indicator on the rear of the bag showing how far down to fold the seal. If you are storing your cell phone or electronic car keys in your dry bag then we recommend placing them inside a Swim Secure Protective Phone Bag first for added peace of mind, to guars against splashes and condensation. 

HOW SHOULD I STORE MY SWIM SECURE PRODUCT? 

Rinse your product with fresh water after every swim and make sure it has completely dried out. Store in a cool, dark, dry place. Prolonged exposure to sunlight may cause the colors to fade over time. Repeated exposure to extreme changes in temperature may reduce the lifetime of your Swim Secure product. 

CAN I REPAIR MY SWIM SECURE PRODUCT? 

We would encourage everyone to prolong the life of their Swim Secure product for as long as possible, including repairing them. It is possible to seal leaks and seams using a waterproof adhesive. We also supply replacement waist belt and leash sets, straps and valves for some products. 

HOW CAN I DISPOSE OF MY SWIM SECURE PRODUCT? 

Your Swim Secure product has been built to last and should function for many years if cared for correctly. How you dispose of your product will depend on what services are available in your area. Swim Secure products are either made from 100% PVC or from a PVC/vinyl mix - please check to see if you have suitable recycling facilities in your area that are able to recycle this type of plastic, and please dispose of your old Swim Secure product responsibly.