I was fortunate to work as a lifeguard and swim instructor for 7 years during the 70's. I was able to pay for much of my college experience, a car and a bike. The lifeguard swimsuits were made of heavy double knot, lined with another heavy fabric and had built in support...all of which did not do me any good. Jumping in the water for drills or helping people was a task to just keep from drowning as the suit increased in weight when wet! They were 2 piece suits which covered everything from the shoulders to the hips. Not as flattering as the 'eensy-weensy polka dot bikinis' of that era. Talk about having a suit with 'drag'! One day my suit saved me as it was wet and I was holding one of the giant umbrellas. A strong wind came up and would have carried me away if it weren't for the heavy wet suit.