Did you ever want to be a mermaid? Swimming around with a colorful tail without a care? Well you can! And many have. In the past couple of years, mermaiding has become extremely popular with kids and dreamers alike. As a professional mermaid myself, I fell victim to the craze as well. But something that most people overlook has become the most dangerous aspect of the hobby, tail safety.
Tail safety is the most crucial topic that should be understood before swimming with a tail. We can break it down into two parts: buying a tail and swimming with a tail. Both play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of the swimmer.
Buying a Mermaid Tail
The first thing that should be taken into consideration is the quality of the mermaid tail that you’ll buy. As the market has been exploding, so have scammers selling dangerous tails. These tails usually consist of fabric materials that absorb water. They can become extremely heavy and dangerous.
Monofins can also be made of other cheap materials like flippers attached to vinyl. So, how do you ensure that the tail you buy is safe?
Follow these easy guidelines for buying a mermaid tail:
- Make sure you buy from a reputable company. Most third parties or foreign sellers tend to sell dangerous tails.
- Search around for reviews. If the product does not have any reviews, look for one that does.
- Make sure the monofin is not clear and is made by a reputable company. Finnis is a great company that makes quality silicone monofins.
- Join a mermaid Facebook group. They are really good resources for all your mermaiding questions. And there is most likely a professional mer in the group as well.
- My recommendations for tail makers are Finfun, Mertailor, Finfolk Productions, and Aquamermaid. These makers have very safe tails in all different designs and price ranges and even materials. Great for adults and children alike.
Swimming with a Mermaid Tail
Now that you have found a safe tail to use, let’s get to the fun stuff! Swimming with a tail is not easy. It takes lots of practice. But as you are learning to use your fins, be sure that you are as safe as can be.
Here are a few rules and skills to practice for fun and safe mermaiding:
- Never swim alone. Always have a buddy swim with you and/or someone watching you. This way if anything happens, they can get you the help you need.
- Don’t use a tail if you are not a strong swimmer. If you’re not a strong swimmer, use a life vest or a flotation device.
- If you are not used to swimming in an area without a tail, don’t swim there with one. It’s important that you are familiar with the area, the currents, and depth of the waters.
- Practice rolling onto your back and floating. This is a great skill to have if you are ever exhausted or feel in danger. It allows you to be completely relaxed while breathing and calling for help if needed.
- Practice taking the tail off in the pool. Practice this first in water you can stand in and then in water where you can’t touch the bottom. Once out of the tail, swim to safety or roll to your back.
Remember to be safe and have fun! Let your imagination run wild and live out your dreams!
Mermaiding is a great fun way to spend your summer days. It’s fun for the kids and a great low impact exercise as well. With the spike in popularity comes a spike in dangerous situations. Let’s make this summer a safe one for merfolk and humans alike.
Get a good tail, practice swim safety, and make sure to have lots of fun! Because, who doesn’t want to be a mermaid?
