Stay In Touch
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated about our latest offers and more.
Because a person can drown in less than two minutes, it’s never a good idea to swim alone. While it may seem like simple common sense to not allow children to swim by themselves, even adults and strong swimmers can encounter circumstances that lead to fatal consequences. Swimming is fun, but it’s also critical to understand how serious it is to prioritize water safety above everything else. The experienced professionals from San Diego Pools, the experts in pool construction San Diego residents trust for outstanding craftsmanship and exceptional service, explain why you shouldn’t swim alone.
Even if you’re an experienced swimmer, you can drown in a pool if you’re swimming alone. Pool vents produce suction strong enough to trap your hair and even parts of your body. This suction can be powerful enough to pull you under the water and make it impossible for you to get out, especially if you’re a small person.
You can also hit your head on a hard surface when you’re alone in a pool, which can cause you to lose consciousness and drown. Caitlin Hoff, health and safety investigator for ConsumerSafety.org, explains, “If a lone swimmer suffers any sort of injury while in the water or runs into a perilous situation, he or she may not be able to get help quickly and is at a much greater risk of drowning.” Hoff advises that people always swim with buddies, ideally in areas with lifeguards. Make sure your children always swim with friends or siblings so they can watch out for each other if their parents or other adults aren’t in the water with them.
Strong currents, called riptides, make swimming alone in the ocean especially dangerous. These currents can drag you out far into the water, and you could easily get so far out you won’t be able to swim back to shore on your own. Strong waves can also knock you down and keep you submerged for a long time.
Swimming while there’s a lifeguard on duty is the best way to ensure you can get out of a hazardous situation. In addition to making sure you swim with a lifeguard nearby, you and your family should use the buddy system when you’re in the ocean.
Swimming and drinking don’t mix. According to the World Health Organization, drinking alcohol is one of the riskiest behaviors that contribute to adult drownings. Drinking can cause people to be reckless and do things like swimming in unsafe areas, swimming out too far in the ocean, and swimming alone. If people are drinking around water, they should make sure there’s a lifeguard and/or rescue equipment available.
Dehydration and fatigue can cause cramping to occur when you swim. Painful cramps in the legs or feet can make it difficult to swim to the side of a pool, and if you’re in the ocean, they could make it impossible to make it back to shore on your own. When there’s a lifeguard or a buddy close by, you’ll be able to get the help you need to get out of the water safely.
If you need more advice about swimming safety, call on the experienced professionals at San Diego Pools. We’re a premier San Diego swimming pool contractor, and our experienced pool design and construction experts are dedicated to building the pool that’s right for your family and providing you with the highest-quality service in the industry. Give us a call today at 888-707-7786.