January 07, 2022 6 min read

There are many people who believe that goggles are not safe to use while swimming. Do you think so? Some people say that goggles just cause problems for the swimmer, such as fogging up and making it hard to see.

Other people question whether or not goggles provide any protection at all, and instead of providing safety they actually make it harder for the swimmer to breathe.

Regardless of the opinions of some, there are many swimmers who swear by their goggles and claim that they make a significant difference in their experience. Goggles may not be for everyone and it is important to understand that these decisions will always be personal. So, if you prefer to swim without goggles find out the information mentioned below.

The Pros of Wearing Goggles in a Pool

Visibility

When you're in the pool, sometimes the chlorine water gets in your eyes and makes it difficult to see. You can't see who's in the pool or what pool area you're in.

If you're underwater, you can't tell how deep you are. This means that if you start to swim too far, you could hit your head on the bottom of the pool. With swim goggles, you have the best of both worlds.

Goggles are clear so you are completely submerged underwater and can still see what is around you. Your visibility of objects is also protected from the chlorine in the pool. This is also important when you attend a swim school and learn swimming with your instructor.

Keeping your Eyelids and Lashes Clear and Dry

foamily in pool with swim goggles

We all know that keeping our eyelids and lashes clean and dry can be difficult when we are in the water. Swim goggles help to keep your lashes and eyelids clean and dry so you can leisurely enjoy your time in the water. You can use them in any setting that has too much chlorine in the water such as a pool, hot tub, or even when you're in water that is just too dirty to go in without any protection. In this case, goggles can protect your eyes, eyelids and lashes from being wet properly.

Relieving Strain on your Eyes

Eye strain is a common problem that affects many people. Your eyes may be stressed if they feel dry, red, or itchy. Eye strain can wear on you and eventually lead to other health problems.

Swimming goggles are very importantand a good way to relieve the strain on your eyes and prevent these health problems from occurring. So, avoid swimming without goggles in a swimming pool.

Fogging

Swim goggles help reduce fogging. The first thing to consider is the size of the goggles, as a thicker lens will produce a greater surface area for air to hit and will therefore provide a better environment for a reduction in fogging. If you want to swim without any eye protection, think twice.

The Cons of Wearing Goggles in the Water

googles on pool

Goggles Prevent Freedom of Movement

Swimming is sport that requires a lot of movement. The different strokes, the use of arms and legs, and the constantly changing location in a pool, all adds up to a sport that is constantly in motion. And in order to be in the best shape for sport, one has to have full range of motion in joints and have a suitable focus.

With this in mind, when people use swim goggles, the focus becomes the task at hand. They can't see what is going on around them or who they might be swimming into. Not only that, but it can be difficult just to take a breath. Goggles restrict freedom of movement to the point that they become too limiting.

Goggles Fogging

Swimming in a pool can be a refreshing way to cool down in summer, but for many it's a difficult experience because of the goggles. Goggles fogging is a common occurrence when swimming in a pool because of the humidity, water droplets, and bacteria all interacting to make the lens fog.

To mitigate the fogging, you can try to wipe down the goggles with a tissue or a towel to clear off any droplets that may have been missed. You could also try to use a swimming goggle cleaner to break down any bacteria. If you clean your goggles, make sure to take a few moments before going back in the pool to let things dry off.

Goggles can Damage your Hair

Goggles can be a pain in the butt. They slip off. They leak. They fog up. But did you know they can also damage your hair? Swim goggles have been know to damage hair. A common solution to this is to coat your hair with vaseline. Coat your hair with vaseline before each session and you won't have to worry about your hair being damaged from the swim goggles.

That's just another reason to take a break from the pool and do something else. The chlorine scent in most public pools can cause hair to lose shine and become brittle and dry. Natural oils in the scalp and hair stop working when chlorine and other chemicals in the pool enter the hair and scalp and dry out the skin. If you're trying to grow out your hair, using a swim cap will protect your hair from chlorine.

Why is it Unsafe to Swim Without Goggles?

Taking into account all above mentioned information one can make a decision. However, the choice to swim without goggles can be dangerous and could cause an eye injury such as scratched cornea which could lead to chemical burns, retinal detachment, or blurred vision. Another reason to wear goggles is to protect your nose from getting irritated. A lot of people who swim without goggles have their nose get all wet.

To Sum Things Up

Some people believe that it is better to swim with goggles. However, others say they can still swim in a pool without goggles. To swim in a pool correctly, it is necessary to wear goggles. If you wear goggles, you will be able to use your eyes to judge the distance between you and the bottom of the pool. At least this will provide you with water safety rules. You will also be able to see the linoleum, pool tile, or any other objects that might be on the bottom of the pool. This will help a person avoid a pool injury that often happens during a swim class or any other situation in the water. So, forget about the question of swimming with or without goggles because wearing goggles is a safer way to be in the water.

Most Frequent Questions

Do goggles improve swimming?

Goggles can help reduce the number of water droplets that enter your eyes while swimming. This allows you to keep your eyes open while trading and see what is in the water around you. Goggles can also help keep hair away from your eyes while swimming. Keeping hair away from your face can help you see better and get a more comfortable swim. Thus, if you take swim lessons goggles will help you getting on with better results and will .

swimming with goggles

Why do swimmers wear two caps?

Swimmers wear two caps because it ensures that their whole head is covered in chlorine-resistant fabric. This fabric is helpful in this case and protects the hair that has touched water during practice.

Why do swimmers slap themselves?

When a swimmer is in a race, it's a common tactic to slap oneself in an attempt to wake themself up and increase their heart rate. The 'slap' is a way for a swimmer to get their focus back.

Who is the richest swimmer in the world?

At the top of the world's elite athletes, swimmer Michael Phelps is worth $50 million. Winning an impressive 22 Olympic medals, the champion swimmer has had a lucrative career that is very different than most. He became famous because of his ability to swim faster and not only.

Phelps first started swimming at the age of He first competed at the international level at the age of 15 after he met swim coach Bob Bowman. Bowman first saw Michael swim at a junior meet and quickly became his coach. Michael only had one arm that was fully functional at the time.
In 2004, Michael won his first ever Olympic medal in Athens. He then went on to win a total of eight Olympic gold medals in Beijing. That's when he became one of the most celebrated athletes in history.
Author - Aleksandra Djurdjevic
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aleksandra Djurdjevic          

Senior Content Creator

Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering surf, kayak and various watersports activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the ocean / rivers, getting out waves, season after season, seeking epic adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.


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