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Injuries from pool use: Guidance for the public

What types of injuries can happen at water recreation facilities?

  • Fatal and non-fatal drowning

    • Drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years of age.
    • Even if it does not lead to death, drowning can permanently damage a person's organs.

  • Spinal cord injuries

    • Impact against pool floor/wall or another person in the water can injure the neck or spine, which can lead to permanent damage.

  • Entrapment injuries

    • Pool/spa drains (where the pool water is being sucked out of the pool by the recirculation pump) can pull and hold a person on it.
    • People's hair, fingers, head, bathing suit, etc. can get stuck on pool equipment or structure and lead to injury.

  • Slipping and falling

    • Wet surfaces are often slippery and can cause people to slip and fall.

  • Exposure to hazardous chemicals

    • If not handled correctly, pool disinfectant (especially chlorine) can turn into gas and hurt people who breathe it.
    • Chemicals used to adjust the pool water quality are often hazardous to humans if exposed to the chemicals without diluting them in the pool water.
    • Some pool chemicals are incompatible with one another, and if mixed, they can react violently to cause fire or explosion.

Guidance for the public to prevent injuries at water recreation facilities

Supervise small children!

Drowning can happen very quickly and silently.

  • A responsible adult must supervise a small child, ideally within arm's reach, for the entire time that the child is in the water.
  • Do not get distracted by phones, books, food/drinks, or conversations.
  • Pool noodles and water wings are not reliable flotation devices: only U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets that fit properly are considered to provide reliable protection against drowning.  

Adults should use caution, too!

Adults who are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or who have underlying health conditions are more likely to drown than healthy adults.

  • Avoid using alcohol or drugs before swimming.
  • If you have underlying health conditions, it is recommended that you swim with a buddy.

Know how to rescue!

Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and know where emergency equipment is provided at the facility such as:

  • Emergency phone to call 911
  • First Aid Kit and Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
  • Rescue equipment like throwing buoy and reaching pole

Do not dive into a shallow pool!

If you see a No Diving sign or the depth is less than 5 feet, never dive into that water. The water is too shallow, and you might hit the pool floor.

Use starting blocks properly.

Starting blocks for competitive swimming are only for those who have been trained.

Follow rules for diving boards and platforms!

Rules are posted near the diving board or platform. You must follow these rules to stay safe.

Do not go near the pool drains!

There is suction happening there. The grates are there to protect you from suction and getting trapped. But it is better to stay away from the drains entirely.

Do not run!

Wet surfaces on pool decks, restrooms, shower rooms, and locker rooms can be extremely slippery.

Speak up if something's wrong.

Submit a complaint at King County's Public Health Service Request Access. Note that you need to select, "Don't see what you're looking for? Create a new request," then scroll to "Water Rec Facility Complaint" in the "Request Type" box.