As leisure activities go, there are countless health benefits to swimming.
According to official NHS guidance, “regular swimming can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. It can also boost your mood and keep your weight under control.”
If you’re not a fan of traditional gym cardio such as sprinting on the treadmill, swimming can be an excellent alternative, as it provides a full-body workout that can feel much more effortless in the water.
Alongside the benefits of swimming, however, it’s also important to be aware of the risks and dangers it can involve. In this article, we explore the most common swimming pool safety hazards and how customers and leisure facility managers should be managing them.
Drowning
Typically the most obvious risk that first comes to mind when swimming, is the danger of drowning. Lifeguards should be present at leisure facilities, supervising swimming sessions at all times, ready to step in and rescue anyone who appears to be in distress when in the pool.
Slippery surfaces
Although slippery surfaces can’t be avoided at public leisure centres, it’s important to take the appropriate precautions to prevent any accidents. Wet floor signs should be put up wherever it is safe to do so. Alongside this, lifeguards must ensure a strict “no running” rule, with visible signage displayed upon the walls for all visitors to abide by. Together, these reminders will help to reduce the number of incidents due to slipping on the poolside walkways.
Chemical exposure
As with many public swimming pools, the use of chlorine can help to filter the water and maintain hygiene and cleanliness. However, chemical exposure is a serious hazard that all pool keepers should be wary of. pH Meters, as seen here, can be used regularly to test the acidity or alkalinity of the water, ensuring this remains at a safe level at all times.
Use the steps
It’s also important to impose a rule of using the steps when getting in and out of the pool. This is the safest means possible for all swimmers. Diving, jumping, or bombing into the water from the poolside could cause collisions with swimmers who are already in the pool, resulting in serious injuries. To avoid this, be sure to remind all swimmers to use the steps when entering or exiting the pool.
No food or drink
Not only is having food and drink around the poolside unhygienic, but it could also become a serious threat to life if someone is eating and swimming at the same time, as this increases the chances of choking. In particular, banning chewing gum is a wise idea to avoid this, reminding swimmers to remove this before entering the pool, for their own safety.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
