I own a couple of these devices. It was developed by (and is sold by) the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF). There is a page on their web site that includes a video, testimonials, and a link to purchase the device:
ishof.org/.../ssd.htm
You can also buy it from Kiefer:
www.kiefer.com/ishof-safe-swimmer-buoy-products-279.php
Since I bought mine, they have improved the design. The original design tended to break where the strap attached to the buoy; the new design is more rugged. They now offer it in two sizes (23" x 10" for $34.95, or 25" x 12" for $39.95).
The nice thing about this device is that it also serves as a dry bag for carrying your stuff. For example, if I go to the beach by myself I can put my car keys in the dry bag pocket and bring them with me, instead of leaving them unguarded on the beach.
The buoy doesn't create much drag for the swimmer. After you load your stuff into the dry bag, you inflate the bladder. So when you are swimming, the bag floats and you hardly know it's there.
I’ve used mine on a few occasions.
Benefits:
I train in a lake that allows a few power boats. The SaferSwimmer is much more visible than just me in my cap. Our boaters generally look out for swimmers so I haven’t felt in danger either way.
On longer swims I’ll include a couple of water/nutrition bottles, for feedings.
I bring it when I help out at open water clinics. It’s a nice Open Water tool to demonstrate to get folks thinking about safety and it could come in handy if some of the novice open water swimmers have difficulty (which hasn’t happened yet). I have used the tie behind buoy during open water lessons; where I’ll give it to the student so they can have a break when we stop in deep water for instruction.
Cons:
I got the XXL size buoy, which I don’t believe is currently available. Loaded with 3-4 water bottles it seemed to add 30-60 seconds to my training mile time. The drag is slightly noticeable, which is not a big deal on a training swim.
I like the 'NEMO orange' color of the Kiefer buoy! It probably is a little safer with than without.
The lake I'm on is small. About 75 meters across 800 meters long. I have spotted some fishing vessels on the lake. :D I am not worried about myself as much as I wonder if the boaters think I'm being reckless without some sort of visual/floatation device.
The dry bag is a better option than burying your keys in the sand!!!!!
The orange buoy will make you MUCH more visible to the boaters. If I go to the beach by myself, I always show it to the guard and tell him/her that I'll be pulling it while I swim. Without fail, when I finish, the guards always comment on how easy it was to keep track of me.
Thanks for this info. I have to admit that when I first saw these I thought it was the hokiest thing I had ever seen. Might as well swim with water wings!! On the other hand, I am always trying to come up with a way to carry stuff. And anything that reduces the chance of an "accidental" meeting with a drunk boater is always welcome. Glad to hear there is no real drag to worry about, and that it really isn't giving any actual floatation help while swimming. Still not convinced, but...maybe eventually getting there.
I already own a "diver down" float for snorkeling, and have used it for some open water swims, but this looks like it would have a lot less drag.
If it's empty, you don't even know it's there. The only time I feel it is if there are waves. Then I will feel a little tug on the belt. We don't get big waves here. If you were swimming in big waves it might get kind of annoying.
