Red lines point to some of the air bubbles adhering to the fabric surface of a Speedo Fastskin suit. Trapped air appears as gray specks in the fabric.
Floatation is transitory.
Eventually, bodysuits do absorb water, which displaces some trapped air. That bodysuits, their fabrics and coatings, assist in floatation in a manner similar to a thin wetsuit, is indisputable. What should be of concern to anyone who cares about the sport of swimming and the conduct of fair competitions, is that these suits are even allowed . What should be of concern is the amount of floatation a bodysuit's covering provides relative to the size of the swimmer. Some examples that illustrate this subtle point that will affect swimming race outcomes are as follows.