Spending time in a cold swimming pool is a quick way to counter hot temperatures in the St. Louis summer heat, and health officials remind there are steps to take to make pool time less risky and a more safe and enjoyable part of summer fun for yourself and others.
Before taking that splash, checking the quality of the pool is the first step to take towards protecting individual and public health. The St. Louis County Department of Public Health says evaluate the safety of the pool by checking its latest inspection report, make sure the drain at the bottom of the deep end is visible, and check to see that the drain covers at the bottom appear to be secured and in good repair.
A lifeguard is a potential lifesaver. If a lifeguard is on duty, he or she should be focused on swimmers and not distracted by other things or other people. If there is no lifeguard on duty, a “No Lifeguard on Duty” sign should be posted. If you decide to swim where there is no lifeguard, check to see where safety equipment, such as a rescue ring or pole, is located in case of a water emergency.
Also, make sure no chemicals are out in the open.
Avoiding recreational water-related diseases
According to a recent report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2000 through 2014 one in three swimming-related disease outbreaks occur at hotel pools or hot tubs, with the Cryptosporidium or Crypto parasite, Pseudomonas and Legionella causing most of the outbreaks in swimming venues in the U.S. during that time period.
Crypto caused 58 percent of outbreaks and 89 percent of the illnesses where a germ was identified as linked to pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds. Crypto spreads in pools when someone sick with the parasite has diarrhea in the water and other swimmers swallow that contaminated water. Swimmers and parents of young swimmers play an essential role in preventing Crypto outbreaks.
“Swallowing just a mouthful of water with Crypto in it can make otherwise healthy kids and adults sick for weeks with watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting,” said Michele Hlavsa, R.N., M.P.H., chief of CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program. “Chlorine cannot kill Crypto quickly. We need to keep it out of the water in the first place. Don’t go into the water, and don’t let your kids go into the water, if sick with diarrhea.”
Pseudomonas and Legionella are bacteria that can survive disinfectants in slimy areas of hot tubs, pools and water playgrounds; 16 percent of outbreaks were caused by Legionella and 13 percent by Pseudomonas during that 14-year period. Legionella can cause severe pneumonia and symptoms similar to the flu. Pseudomonas can cause hot tub rash and swimmer’s ear.
The CDC said if a pool, hot tub, or water playground is not cleaned properly, bacteria could grow and form a slime called biofilm on wet surfaces. Legionella and Pseudomonas can live in this biofilm, and it is harder for disinfectants to kill these bacteria when they are protected by biofilm. Pool operators need to maintain proper cleaning practices and disinfectant levels to prevent bacteria from growing and causing illnesses in swimmers.
Dr. Fredrick Echols, director of Communicable Disease Control Services at the St. Louis County Department of Public Health, said people should be aware of the risks associated with swimming. “It is important that residents take proper pool safety and health measures to protect themselves and others,” he said.
Learning to swim
From 2005 -2014, the CDC reports there was an average of 3,536 unintentional drownings each year – about 10 fatalities per day – and 20 percent of the victims were children age 14 or younger. Learning to swim is an important life skill that can help reduce those incidents, and swimming is excellent for exercise and leisure for all ages.
The Gateway Region YMCA offers swim lessons from ages six months through adulthood, taught to thousands of participants each year. If you cannot afford swim lessons, the YMCA will not turn you away for your inability to pay, Tricia Meinhold, vice president of Operations of the Gateway Region Y, told The American that vouchers are available at its branches for “a very low-cost” swim class for families and individuals who meet income requirements.
“Each branch locally raises money every year specifically for scholarships for folks that may not otherwise be able to participate in programs and or membership,” Meinhold said. Programs include sports, aquatics and membership. The money raised at each branch is meant for local families, children and individuals. “If you are not a member of the Y or even if you are a member of the Y and you want to take swim lessons, you must demonstrate the financial need to the membership director,” Meinhold said, “and based on where you fall in an income level, they go ahead and issue you a voucher scholarship for your swim lessons.”
During the school year on the Illinois side, Meinhold said third-grade students are transported to a Metro East YMCA for free swim lessons, thanks to a legacy fund.
“We actually work with three school districts and give third-graders free lessons throughout the year,” Meinhold said. “There are other Ys that do that as well. Missouri Ys do it too. Check with your local school district during the school year, if that is an opportunity for your third-grader.”
For more information about swimming lessons and other programs at the YMCA, visit https://www.gwrymca.org/.
