Swimming pool injuries are an unfortunate byproduct of having fun at the pool. No matter how careful you are, you can’t prevent anything from ever happening. What you can do is be aware of the most common swimming pool injuries, along with the preventative measures you can take to prevent them from happening.
We’ve covered the swimming pool rules and regulations that you should abide by, and now we’re discussing the most common swimming pool injuries that you should know about. Keep reading to learn more!
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common swimming pool injuries. And it’s no wonder, with how wet the concrete next to the pool can be. After all, wet footsteps track from lounge chairs to the pool and back all day long. Between quenching your thirst, taking a break from swimming, or lounging in the sun, you’ve got reasons to go back and forth.
The closer you are to the pool, the greater your chance of slipping, as that’s where the wettest spots will be. Water splashes over the sides of the pool every time someone jumps in, and huge puddles of water are often around the pool steps from people sloshing in and out.
Needless to say, the areas surrounding the swimming pool are notorious for slip and fall accidents. However, you can prevent slip and fall accidents by walking – not running – slowly around the pool. While your feet will still get wet, there’s less chance of the ground slipping out from under you.
Electrocution
Did you know you can get electrocuted at the pool? All it takes is an electrical charge that you come in contact with to get shocked. Electrocution usually comes from an appliance or pool equipment with faulty wiring or from wires/cords that are too close to the pool.
So, the best way to prevent pool electrocution is by hiring an experienced, licensed electrician and keeping cords at least 10 feet away from the pool.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries occur when there’s a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. There are mild, moderate, or severe TBIs, depending on how hard you hit your head.
A traumatic brain injury is a severe injury usually accompanied by a concussion that can affect your brain long-term. It can be fatal if not caught in time or treated right away. Hundreds of thousands of TBI patients are hospitalized every year.
You can wind up with a TBI if you hit your head on or near the swimming pool. Most people think of diving in a shallow pool as a way to get a TBI. And while this is true, it’s not the only way.
You can also suffer a TBI if you’re leaning against the side of the pool and throwing your head back laughing or if you jump in too close to the edge and hit your head. In either case, the impact on your skull will cause the TBI.
Drowning
Unfortunately, drowning is one of the leading causes of swimming pool-related deaths. When you’re underwater for too long, you consume too much water, and you run out of oxygen. Thankfully, you can prevent some drownings if you find the person in time and can revive them. But sometimes it’s too late.
How quickly you can drown depends on your age, weight, and respiratory health. Once you’re underwater, you can hold your breath for about 30 seconds to 2 minutes. After that, you’ll lose consciousness or open your mouth and inhale water.
It doesn’t take a lot of water inhalation in your lungs to suffocate you. You’ll quickly go into hypoxic convulsion and then cerebral hypoxia, which leads to death.
Drowning usually occurs in one of two ways – the inability to swim or being too exhausted to swim. You can prevent drowning by learning how to swim and not swimming when you’re tired. Signing up your children for swimming lessons will also protect them from drowning.
Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton
Swimming pool injuries happen every day at the pool. Some occur when the swimmer isn’t careful enough, but even extreme caution can’t prevent all accidents.
If you or a loved one were injured in a swimming pool accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. If the injury resulted in death due to someone else’s negligence, you could have a wrongful death lawsuit.
Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton has been practicing law for over 25 years and would be honored to represent you and help you receive the compensation you deserve. We offer free case evaluations for potential clients, where we review the details of your case and determine how we can help.
Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton has offices in Orem, Provo, South Jordan, and West Jordan. We represent clients across Salt Lake and Utah Counties and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to get started.