Problems with my HRM and swimming. Help!

sarahbear1981

Okay, so I just bought a Polar FT7 and I tried it out today for the first time in the pool. It didn't do so hot. It kept beeping and telling me to check heart rate transmitter. This happened every time I started to swim a lap. I think the issue is that I am going from a vertical postion to a horizontal one and it is not staying in contact with my skin. I had to get out the pool and tighten it up and it still didn't work. So I am wondering if there is a glue or a waterproof tape I could use to make it stay in contact with my skin. It works fine if I am standing but when I move around in the water no dice. It also works fine when I am out of the water. What should I do. Has anyone else had this problem? I know it has something to do with the chest strap but I am not sure what else I can try.

sbilyeu75

Mine has started acting the same way. I don't know, if I just forgot to wet it beforehand with non-chlorine water or if that even makes a difference.

jmijaressf

I've always had to tighten-up my Polar wearlink strap when in the pool. I tighten it up so that it's a little more than snug and eventually when I start swimming it stays in place, and after a while I don't notice how tight it is. The only thing that might knock it loose is when doing a flip turn or a really strong push-off from the wall.

Though as a general rule of thumb, the snap on wearlink will experience some interference while in the pool.

BrentGetsFit

Polar says they're not really meant for swimming. Something with the water interfering with the signal.

Tzavush

I've been told that the chlorine interferes and that they are only water resistant not waterproof.
They may not be intended for use in the pool.

sbilyeu75

I called the company and asked specifically about being able to use it for swimming before I bought it, they assured me it was fine for that. You just can't hit any of the buttons after it's wet, until thoroughly dry.

nikki_zav

Strap the chest strap down tight....that is what worked for me.

sarahbear1981

So it looks like I just need to fasten the chest strap really tight then? I was thinking of using some duct tape to hold it in place. Do you all think that would interfere?

TourThePast

Give the electrode areas of the strap a good soaking beforehand and yes make sure the strap is tight. It won't need duct tape which isn't waterproof in any case, and which can also cause skin rashes, so I wouldn't recommend it.

Also, do make sure you wash the strap regularly, mine gave those messages after I'd only tested it a few times walking about the house, and my not rinsing it after that was the cause.

You are right by the way, as long as you don't press the buttons while you're in the water the FT4 and the FT7 are both suitable for swimming, though not deep diving.