Part of getting the most out of swimming is having full knowledge of water safety, which includes proper procedures for inclement weather, especially during rain and storms.
Most people know not to swim in the pool if it's thundering or lightning out, but what about rain? Drops of water are innocent enough and people encounter them every day, whether it's in the shower or from a leak in the roof. Although rain drops are technically not a threat, it's not a good idea to swim in a pool during a shower – here's why.
Lightening is unpredictable
According to the National Lightning Safety Institute, lightning's behavior is random, which means it's hard to tell when a bolt is going to strike down from the skies. Your best line of defense is prevention that entails staying indoors as often as possible during inclement weather. What's more, bolts of lightning can get some serious distance. Just because it isn't thundering near you yet, doesn't mean you're out of harm's way during a storm. Avoid contact with open waters during rainstorms to reduce your chances of encountering dangerous conditions.
Heavy Rain
Even if there is no lightning, it is always better to leave the pool in heavy rain. This is because loud noises and reduced visibility caused by heavy rain make it harder for lifeguards & instructors to tell if you’re safe or not.
Can't walk on water
It's also a good idea to stay away from your pool when it's raining because your deck and other surface areas can be more slippery than usual. If you slide and fall around the pool, you can seriously injure yourself on a hard concrete or wooden deck, but you can also fall into the water unconscious.
Accidents like these add to the statistic that 4,000 people die from drowning annually, reported the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Swimming in the rain isn't worth the risk of getting hurt. Stay away from the pool during rain showers, and if you must enter the area for whatever reason, bring someone along so you aren't alone around the water.
Pool sickness
What's more, swimming in cold water while additional drops pours over your head can make you get hypothermia. Health Line explained that a person who's exposed to high wind or rain might lose more body heat than they're supposed to.
Not only does swimming in the rain expose you to the elements that cause hypothermia, but it might make it difficult to distinguish the symptoms of hypothermia from the chilliness that typically comes from jumping in the pool.
You safest bet is to swim in the pool when the weather is nice. Don't forget to have your pool cleaned after a big storm because branches and other debris can dirty or damage it.
Teach this safety slogan:
"If you can see it, flee it; if you can hear it, clear it."
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