A viral TikTok showed how kids wearing blue swimsuits can quickly disappear underwater. Here are the most important pool safety tips from swim instructors.

• Nikki Scarnati is a mom of two and a certified swim instructor.
• Her TikTok showing why parents shouldn't buy blue swimsuits for kids went viral.

When Nikki Scarnati wanted her daughter to take swim lessons, she couldn't find any local classes near her Florida home. So Scarnati took matters into her own hands, becoming a certified Infant Swimming Resource instructor. During her training, she learned what she says is a well-known fact in the swim-safety industry: Brightly colored swimsuits are more visible, while blue suits are harder to spot in an emergency.

"Do not buy a blue bathing suit," Scarnati said in a TikTok that's since gone viral.

Scarnati told Insider that when she saw a blue swimsuit on clearance, she recognized it was a great opportunity to demonstrate the difference in visibility. Her 2-year-old wore the swimsuit in a pool and blended easily into the background. The video has since been shared widely by parents.

"Sometimes seeing is believing," she said.

Many lifeguards and swim teachers already know this

Most parents have never considered the role that swimsuit color plays in safety, Scarnati said, but industry professionals are familiar with the difference in visibility.

"This is really good advice and right on," said Laurie Abplanalp, the senior vice president of operations at Streamline Brands, a swim school. "Kids should always wear brightly colored swimwear in water so they are more easily seen by parents, caregivers, and lifeguards. When shopping for swimwear, avoid colors that could blend in with water and choose swimsuits with bright colors that stand out."

Neon is the most visible, Scarnati said. After that, warm colors like pink, red, and orange are preferable to cool colors like blue and green. She said kids can wear blue or green swimsuits while playing in the sprinkler or on a splash pad, and parents can phase them out.

While swimsuits may make a difference, it's no substitute for water safety

Parents should be mindful of swimsuit color because every little bit of protection is critical when kids are around the water, Scarnati said.

Maria Rezhylo, a former professional swimmer, swim coach, and the owner of the Tampa-based swim school Swim Fast Academy, said that suit color is "a minor detail."

She pointed out that a majority of drownings happen while parents or caregivers are nearby.

"No matter what color of suit your kid is wearing, if you're not closely supervising them, you set yourself up for tragedy," Rezhylo said. "Even if they took swim lessons and wear floaties, you still need to supervise them at all times."

Dakota Stern, a certified American Red Cross lifeguard, emphasized that there's no substitute for water safety. Rather than focus on swimsuit colors, she would like to see parents avoid crowded pools (where it's difficult to watch children) and teach children to swim early rather than relying on swim aids.

"The best way to protect your child isn't by picking a bright, neon swimsuit — it's by teaching your child to swim," Stern said.

Swim aids or flotation devices can give your child — and you — a false sense of security, which can be deadly in the worst-case scenario, Stern said.

"As a lifeguard who has saved kids from drowning at crowded public and private pools, the most important thing I can do to keep kids safe is to instantly make determinations of each child's abilities and to keep a close eye on non-swimmers and inflatables," Stern said.

Follow these tips to swim safely this summer

The experts that Insider spoke with recommend being proactive about water safety by following these tips:

• Teach your child to swim early, especially if they're around water frequently.
• Avoid crowded pools or beaches where watching your child can be difficult.
• Don't let non-swimmers go over their heads when they're wearing swim aids.
• Be very cautious with inflatable floats. These can make kids overconfident and obstruct your view in the water.
• Consider dressing your child in brightly colored swimsuits.

"The more barriers you put between your child and a drowning incident, the better," Scarnati said.