What is the most visible color on water?  Mustang Survival On-Water Visibility Study
Channel: New Wave Swim Buoy
Date: 2018-09-13

Question: What is the most visible color on water? 

Answer: Wear Fluorescent Green to be seen. 

A new study conducted by Mustang Survival, and sponsored in part by WorkSafeBC's Research Secretariat program, found that fluorescent green immersion suits routinely beat standard oranges, reds, and yellows in terms of visual detection in water - particularly in low-light conditions.

In August 2011, Mustang Survival conducted a study entitled "On-Water Visibility" (ref: https://goo.gl/RNFu1W) to distinguish and scientifically validate the most conspicuous color for use on Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) and Immersion Suits (IS) when viewed on the water. Prior to this study there were no recent studies on the science of non-reflective conspicuity and the effects of color on conspicuity conducted in marine environments. The most recent Canadian standards prescribe Pantone colors (Orange, Red, and Yellow) for these products. Notably missing were high visibility CSA approved colors which have been mandated on construction sites and within the Public Safety Community throughout North American for their high degree of visibility.

The Findings:

• Research findings show fluorescent yellow-green (G) followed by fluorescent orange (O) were the most conspicuous colors for a floating target when compared to non-fluorescent red (R) and non-fluorescent yellow (Y). This result was found from simulated laboratory viewings and actual on-water experiments using human subjects.
• When viewing the colors against a simulated maritime horizon using their central vision, the test subjects judged fluorescent yellow-green and fluorescent orange, to be the more conspicuous colors compared to red, and yellow. Yellow was deemed to be the least conspicuous.
• On water testing of the four specific fabric colors showed that for both approaching and leaving a target in low or high intensity light, fluorescent yellow-green was the most conspicuous color overall, followed by fluorescent orange. Red was found to be the least conspicuous color with on-water testing.
• Minimum on-water detection distances ranged from 350 meters (red) to 1400 meters (green). 

Source: https://www.mustangsurvival.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-Mustang_US-Library/default/dw91dcde1b/product-pdfs/Mustang/Datasheet_OC8003HR.pdf

A new study suggests fluorescent green marine wear - rather than standard orange, red, or yellow - offers the best bet for surviving an on-water emergency

Reference: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/articles/living-colour

Full report of the study is here: On-Water Visibility Study - Determining the Most Visible Colour that can be Worn by Floating Subjects (https://goo.gl/HvYo3Y)