Plastic lanyards
Everyone remembers seeing lifeguards with lanyards when they were kids. It seems that all of lifeguards either carried a lanyard with a key or two on the end or had it looped around their necks. Lanyards just looked like part of the lifeguard uniform.
Lanyards constructed with plastic are the best ones to use where there’s an opportunity for them to get wet. Lanyards made of fabric of one sort or another won’t fall apart if they get a good soaking but the continual dampness will take its toll. Materials other than plastic are hard to clean, can harbor mold and mildew, and generally become smelly and stained. Plastic will look as good as new if its cared for.
Indoor pools are the lifeguard’s domain and the plastic lanyard is pretty much standard issued equipment. When the chlorine and the humidity start to cloud up the plastic, a damp cloth and some window cleaner or strong dish soap will clean it up nicely.
Plastic lanyards come in a variety of colors and with any number of designs. It’s possible to color coordinate a bathing suit and a lanyard to accommodate the conservative swimmers or to get a lanyard with wild colors and designs that will please the younger crowd. As long as it’s plastic, you’re in business.
Salt water will be hard on any lanyard, plastic or not. The lanyard will require constant wiping down to avoid pitting and staining. Sand is another enemy of plastic that will scratch the lanyard and ruin its appearance if you’re not careful.
Inland lakes and rivers won’t hurt the lanyard a bit. The green algae might threaten to stain it but that’s where the window cleaner and soap can cut the scum and restore your lanyard’s appearance.
Plastic eventually wears out so when you find a lanyard that suits your fancy, consider buying several so you’ll always have a backup or two. Lanyards are long enough that they’re tough to lose but it does happen, especially in public areas like a beach or a pool.
Lanyards and lifeguards still go together. Our children will remember the lifeguards swinging their lanyards like the ones did when we were kids. As long as the lanyards are plastic, their memories will preserve the images of bright colors and great-looking designs.