Heart rate while swimming

So i started back swimming and heart rate is fine. But if i want to wear a chest strap (I have a polar h10 and a viva from 4iiii), will it switch to external hr or do i have to disable the wrist hr while swimming.

Now, when i use the wrist hr, it records continuously. If i use a chest strap, i assume bluetooth does not work under water. So at the end of my swim, does any of the mentioned strap cumulate data to be downloaded to the watch or do i need the garmin swim strap ?

0 trux over 2 years ago

It won't work with the Polar h10 strap. You need a HRM strap with the Store & Forward feature:

How Does the Store and Forward Feature on the HRM-Pro/Pro Plus/Swim/Tri Strap Work? | Garmin Customer Support

0 Pierrotsc over 2 years ago in reply to trux

Thanks. I need to check if the viva has this feature. I thought polar had that if i remember though. you could start a workout with polar beat and the download the data when the workout is finished. Will look more. appreciate the answer. Let me look at your link.

0 Pierrotsc over 2 years ago in reply to trux

Found that. but not sure if it works with garmin. Yes, you can, but you must start the training session with Polar Beat, the mobile app. The Polar H10 heart rate sensor has an internal memory that allows you to record one training session with it without a connected training device or a mobile training app close by.

0 trux over 2 years ago in reply to Pierrotsc

I am not sure, but I think it must be one of the mentioned Garmin HRMs.

0 Pierrotsc over 2 years ago in reply to trux

you may be right. i have contacted 4iiii to ask.

0 mcalista over 2 years ago

Unfortunately, when it comes to store-and-forward of chest strap HR data, none of the manufacturers play nicely with each other, and you have to stay within the same ecosystem.

A Polar strap will only work with a Polar watch, a Garmin watch will only work with a Garmin Strap (HRM-SWIM, HRM-TRI, HRM-PRO), etc.

0 Pierrotsc over 2 years ago in reply to mcalista

Thanks my friend. I just had a reply from 4i innovation and same thing with the viva strap. I have an old hrm-tri but my watch does not see it anymore even with a new battery. i think the strap is worn out.

As soon as you put the Viiiiiva on and it is activated, it will start to record data and store it onboard. However, signal transmission does not work in water, so it will not pair/transmit data during your swim. It will record during the duration of the swim and then you can download the files to the 4iiii app (not your watch).

0 PaulDN81 over 2 years ago

If you're going to be swimming in a pool and want to use a chest strap the HRM-Swim is likely the best choice. It's more chlorine resistant than the fabric straps (HRM-Tri and HRM-Pro) and also stays in place on the push offs better since it's made of a material with more grip. Open water is less of an issue since the water doesn't have pool chemicals and you're not pushing off a wall (plus swimmers tend to wear wetsuits in open water).