Summer is in full swing, and nothing beats the heat during this time of year better than taking dip in the pool. While using a swimming pool can be refreshing and fun – it could also be a source of potentially harmful diseases and unsafe conditions. By following this simple guide, you can make sure you’re swimming healthy in your local pool this summer.
Rule number 1: Always check the pool before you jump in!
It
may seem excessive to inspect and test your local pool, however, it
will actually provide you with helpful feedback on how well the pool
maintained, and if it is safe to use.
You
should always make sure the drain to the pool is visible at the
deeper end of the pool, and it should also have a secure cover. Pool
drainage is important to keep the water clean and safe, but it
essential to make sure children are not playing with the drains.
Fingers,
hair, and bathing suits can become stuck and a fun summer activity
can turn dangerous.
It
is also important to make sure any pool you enter has been properly
treated and tested for any potentially toxic bacteria. Common
bacteria found in swimming pools and spas are E.coli,
Giardia, Hepitatis A, and Cryptospodium, the latter three being more
resistant to chlorine than E.coli.
Stomach illnesses, swimmer’s ear, rashes, respiratory infections and urinary tract infections are all common ailments that could be contracted from bacteria ridden swimming pools. It is vital that a swimming pool be regularly treated with the right amount of chlorine and/or bromine to maintain a healthy pool environment. Just for reference:
A healthy swimming pool should have…
| pH |
between 7.2 – 7.8 |
| Chlorine |
Above 3 in tubs/spa (above 1 other places) |
| Bromine |
Above 4 in tubs/spa (above 3 other places) |
|
Organic contamination |
None! if it is possible; however, even in a well-maintained pool, you may find bacteria, viruses and parasites. While E-coli can die after within an hour with the above pool pH, Cryptospodium will need over a week! |
If
you find it difficult to trust a particular pool, you can always
carry your own water test strips to test the pool’s pH, chlorine,
bromine, microbes, etc.
Rule
number 2: Keep dirt, garbage, and bodily fluids away from water.
Since
microbes can easily spread through water, especially in public
facilities, it is important to limit the possible bacteria that you
bring into the water to protect you and others using the pool.
Even
if a pool is chlorinated, bacteria spread through bodily fluids and
bacteria can still be harmful to swimmers. In
fact, chlorine combines with bodily secretions (such as urine, feces,
sweat, dirt, skin cells, make-up, deodorant, etc.) to create
chloramines, which can be irritating to the human body.
A way to tell if a pool may be inhabited by chloramines is if
it smells too chlorinated,
which is actually not a good sign.
It
is important that if you are currently experiencing diarrhea, or have
in the last
two weeks,
that you stay out of the pool as viruses can easily spread to other
swimmers. A
survey states that 24% of people say they would go to a swimming pool
within one hour of having diarrhea, as well that 40 percent of people
have peed in the pool as an adult!
So,
exercise caution and enter at your own risk.
As
well, make sure you don’t have any open
wounds or fresh piercings
when entering a pool. This makes it a lot easier for bacteria to
enter the bloodstream and potentially make you ill.
Rule
number 3: Shower before getting into the water
To
eliminate as much potential pollutants to the water as possible, it
is important to shower off before entering any pool. As mentioned, a
pool’s
water quality can be affected by personal care products such as
cosmetics and deodorant. This might seem unnecessary, however, our
unwashed bodies can bring
billions of bacteria
microbes into a pool, in addition to dirt and grime.
The
Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention recommends rinsing off
for at least a minute before entering the pool
to ensure your body is adequately clean of harmful bacteria or bodily
secretions.
So
be considerate of other and don’t use the pool as your bathtub.
Rule
number 4: Take your kids to the washroom and change their swim
diapers often
It
is essential that children in diapers switch to swim
diapers
when getting into the pool. This helps keep any fecal matter or urine
out of the pool more so than regular diapers.
As
well, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that small children
using swim diapers take bathroom breaks every hour
and have their diapers checked changed to ensure the water maintains
clean.
In
addition, when using the washroom,
it is important to make sure you are wiping properly and washing
hands
before getting into the pool, again to limit the number of bodily
bacteria spread into the water.
Rule
number 5: Keep your mouth closed and don’t swallow water
Even
in a well-maintained pool with a proper filtration system, it is
possible to still have lingering microbes in the water, especially in
a busy public pool.
It is reported that adults accidently ingest 1 tablespoon of pool
water while swimming, and children ingest about two.
Because of this, it is important to make sure you keep your mouth and
nose closed when enjoying the pool, and especially when going
underwater.
Harmful bacteria can enter the digestion system if pool water is accidently swallowed in large amounts. If the above precautions, such as a properly maintained, clean and healthy pool are exercised, this will minimize the risk of contracting harmful viruses such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Shigella, Norovirus and E-coli. Swimmers with these diseases can unknowingly spread bacteria into the pool, leaving other pool patrons at risk.
In the end, it is important to follow these basic steps to ensure that everyone can enjoy their swimming experience and stay healthy and safe. Use your instincts and look for anything that doesn’t seem normal. Remember: trust your gut and if you think you shouldn’t be swimming in that pool, then you’re probably right!