# Low-Key Life Vests The Sleek ‘Swim Guard' Stays Put Until It's Inflated By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2009-05-01 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swim-guard-life-vest References: [yankodesign](http://www.yankodesign.com/2009/04/28/drowning-man-requires-hip-rescue-gear/) We all know that we *should* wear life vests when swimming or playing in open water, but that doesn’t mean we always do. The [Swim Guard](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swimming-flotation-device) by Steffen Reiter makes it easy to wear a life vest every time with this sleek design that stays put until it’s deployed. Unlike bulky life vests, the Swim Guard is designed to lay close to the body. It sits on the upper torso so as not to interfere with the range of motion around the midsection. A gas cartridge provides the power for the [inflating mechanism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-milano-jacket); when it’s deployed, a GPS signal is sent to the nearest rescue center so that you can be located quickly. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.6/10 - Popularity: 6% | Activity: 3% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Slim Life Vests:** Slim, form-fitting life vests that are comfortable and nonrestrictive. - **Inflatable Life Vests:** Innovative life vests with inflatable mechanisms that stay compact until activated. - **Connected Life Vests:** Life vests equipped with GPS technology to quickly locate individuals in emergency situations. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Water Sports:** Opportunities for incorporating slim, inflatable life vests into various water sports activities. - **Safety Equipment:** Disruptive innovation opportunities for creating more comfortable and advanced life vests for general safety purposes. - **Search and Rescue:** Utilizing connected life vests with GPS technology to improve search and rescue operations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Under-Arm Rescue Floatation Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ua80-evolution-vest.md) - [Self-Inflating Kids Swimwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-swimwear.md) - [Hydrodynamic Weighted Diver Vests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydrospine-freediving-weight.md) - [Health-Tracking Swimmer Bracelets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soswim-safety-bracelet.md) - [Winter Sport Survivalist Vests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/db-snow-pro-vest.md) - [Buoyant Swim Support Boards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swim-fit-board.md) - [Plastic Bottle Lifejackets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bot-lifejacket.md) - [Revolutionary Swimming Flotation Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swimming-flotation-device.md) - [Self-Propelling Controlled Buoys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/usafe.md)