Landing in Hot Water: You Shouldn’t Swim There

June 28, 2013 - PRLog -- Summer is here and with it comes the heat! If you’re looking to cool down and relax (http://imperialpools.com/blog/articles/the-perks-of-swimming-both-physical-and-mental-benefits) in the water, be forewarned: not all swimming spots should be deemed worthy for wading. Whether you’re taking a dip in the sound, an ocean inlet, or in a freshwater bay keep these in mind; they might save a trip to the Doctor’s. Consult the four “C’s” of concern.

Is there…

1.    Choppy Water: “see the tide?” United States Lifesaving Association recently reported that more than 100 people die annually due to rip currents on our nation’s beaches. If you see seaweed and foamy debris being pushed and pulled in the opposite direction of the waves’ flow, there could be a riptide offshore. Whether you’re a strong swimmer or not, a powerful rip current can move well over 5 mph.

2.    Clouded Water: “where’s the bottom?” With regards to a murky public pool, know that it comes from poor upkeep and hundreds of frequenters: enough said. Aside from germs, lack of clarity poses an immediate problem. If there were to be an emergency, who could see what and by when?

3.    Crowded Water: “excuse me…” When it comes to swimming, the idiom “the more the merrier” doesn’t always apply. Aside from the fact that every individual adds to the pool of germs, viruses, and bacteria… dozens of swimmers can divide any lifeguard’s attention. If there were to be an emergency, who could see what and by when?

4.    Coagulated Water: “eww.” Algae, like other plants, have a ‘blooming’ of sorts. These spells happen in various bodies of water. Unfortunately for us, some algae can produce cyanobacteria. Festering colonies in the sun, these pads float about churning up slimy, smelly, and stymie stuff. Certain kinds can get you sick, and many strands have been found to be fatal to dogs and other animals.

People assume that a simple swim in the shallows is and will always be harmless. If you look closely and think ‘fluidly’ you’ll realize that taking a dip in a domain that you don‘t know about and can’t control is always a gamble. There are numerous benefits to owning and knowing your own space (http://imperialpools.com/why-buy-a-pool), but if that’s not an option right now just know the three “C’s” of concern.