Swimming pools as a form of man-made water bodies date back to 2600 B.C.E. According to the book Contested waters; a social history of swimming in America, the Cabot Street Bath in Boston was the first swimming pool in the USA which opened its doors in 1868.
Apparently, there is nothing good without fault; a research study by Research Gate GmbH identified that swimming pools posed some health risks due to the presence of microbiological and chemical contaminated pollution.
All this has been brought about by developments such as filtration systems that enhance the cleanliness of pool water as well as chlorination among other vast processes.
The study aimed at assessing the quality of water in some select swimming pools to determine the levels of compliance. Therefore, just like any other subject matter world over, myths are associated with almost anything and everything.
Myths embody a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon of experience. That is why it is no surprise that there are numerous myths associated with swimming pools.
Myths may not necessarily bear truth or false information as they may exaggerate or idealize reality. However, before you debunk any myth as true or false, it would be better if you put the third eye into perspective, since some myths may bear some aspects of truth or else falsehood all along.
Furthermore, there will always be a battle of myths versus facts. Misconceptions may also fall into place during this “brawl”.
Some of the myths associated with swimming pools may thus be true, partially true, false or partially false. Here is an in-depth look into the 10 most common myths affiliated and orchestrated by swimming pools:
You Can’t Get Sick from Swimming in a Pool
Apparently, just swimming in a pool won’t make you sick but something else within the pool will. Contaminated water in pools may bring forth ailments, but only if it swallowed via mouth channel, breathed via nose or contact with the skin.
Contamination in pools may be by microbial factors and physical-chemical aspects such as chlorine, unfavorable temperatures, sediment disturbance and turbidity as well as a massive load of other swimmers.
It would be of great importance if frequent disinfection and cleaning of pools were undertaken. Swimmers should deter themselves from the notion that; it would be alright to swallow water from a pool that is disinfected.
You Pee in the Pool, the Water Becomes Blue
Yes, this may appear as a joke but the truth is told, it is one of the most common myths. A great percentage of people, children and adults equally believe that this is actually factual. Chlorine, a chemical frequently used in pools’ disinfection is believed to kill bacteria but it is not proven if urine is one of these.
Furthermore, liquid chemical reactions are known to result in some color changes though not still clear if that makes pool water blue. Conclusively, this still stands as a myth that does not hold any water. Peeing in the pool is actually harmful and uncivilized.
Clear Pool Water Means Clean Pool Water
Apparently, this is a clearly wrong notion for anyone to board onto. Micro-organisms present in pool water and capable of contaminating and rendering it risky are too small to even be seen by unaided eyes, especially for single-celled organisms, such as a bacterium.
[youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEWSvfAqwaI” width=”600″ height=”400″ responsive=”yes” controls=”yes” autohide=”alt” autoplay=”no” mute=”no” loop=”no” rel=”yes” fs=”yes” modestbranding=”no” theme=”dark” playsinline=”no”]Microorganisms can thereby appear in pools that appear exceptionally clean. On a microscopic level, lots of microbial organisms may come to view and this may prove to you that clear pool water does not mean clean water.
You Should Wait for an Hour to Swim After Eating
The myth revolves around the argument that when your stomach is full, it pushes the diaphragm thus becoming hard to breathe effectively.
It is not really that dangerous to eat before swimming but it would be of great good if before the activity one may forego eating or take a lighter meal that requires no much energy during digestion. Moreover, you may experience cramps which may result in painful contraction of muscles.
Standard Pool Cleaning Chemicals Immediately Kills All Germs and Bacteria
It is not always a 100% guarantee that all pool germs and bacteria will be killed by pool cleaning chemicals. Chlorine for instance may kill these microbial germs and bacteria but may take time.
For example, Cryptosporidium, a micro-organism that can survive in pools that are properly treated for days hence defeating the purpose. It is these germs and bacteria that may result in ailments if other safety and hygienic precautions are not taken. You should shun being reckless and be cautious as well as risk-averse.
You Don’t Sweat While Swimming
It is apparently believed that when you are inside a swimming pool, you don’t sweat. The logic behind this which rather laughable is that, since you are already in the water, your body won’t overheat thus no sweating.
But in reality, you are exercising from the swimming activity prompting your heart rate to elevate which in return raises body temperature thereby resulting in sweating.
The point here is that when you are in the pool, you won’t notice sweating. Conclusively, swimming is a workout just like any other workout; stay hydrated.
You Should Use Your Pool When the Weather is good
The query to begin with here is, “when do we say the weather is good?” Most people prefer swimming when the weather is sunny and warm. It is not wrong to swim during cold and rainy seasons either though the pool water may feel unbearable due to the temperatures.
Technological advancements in swimming pools can be incorporated to make life more bearable. Solar covers or rings may be introduced to lock in heat and keep pool water warm.
Solar heaters and pool heat pumps may also be used to ensure efficient use of pools at whatever times be it at night or during cold seasons.
Swimming Pools are Value-adders to Homes.
There is this obsession associated with high-end homes that the presence of a swimming pool makes them posher. Truth be told, there is some kind of flair and prestige associated with homes that have pools within their confinements. It is believed that pools add a monetary gain to the home or premise.
Chlorine is bad for your Health
With respect to myth number one but in a different context now, is this myth that suggests that chlorine may be harmful to your health. In little, measurable, and reasonable amounts, chlorine is beneficial and helps in sanitizing and killing microbial organisms as well as pathogens present in water that may make you fall sick.
However, excessive quantities of the same and without putting it in water may be health-wise hazardous. Chlorine may also appear unsafe if it gets exposed to other organic compounds.
Chlorine may Irritate or burn Your Eyes
Another revolving myth is that chlorine may irritate and burn your eyes. It is usually associated with swimming deep underwater. Unbalanced pH level for pool water is associated with this and not chlorine.
The irritation or burning of eyes appears when eyes turn red and may become itchy. High chloramine levels may also be associated with the vice, but upon adding additional chlorine, the water gets sanitized. Chloramines result when chlorine in the pool oxidizes the contaminants thus the remainder.
Summing Up
Swimming pools have embraced science and technology over the centuries heightening them up to new levels. Gone are the days when cleaning up pools entailed draining off the water and filling it up with a fresh batch. Technological advancements too have gone a long way in scaling up the efficiency and effectiveness of swimming pools.
Swimming has adversely grown as an activity by itself to an extent of being categorized as a sport, hobby, and workout process.
Although in another view, swimming may appear as a risky affair as you may drown due to inexperience or accidents, various measures have been put in place to ensure safety in swimming pools.
Nonetheless, swimming just like any other sporting and working activity may be associated with the young and physically astute, but may also bring on board people of diverse ages. It is also not a calling of one gender but it incorporates all the genders.
Swimming is an activity by itself that was mostly done in rivers and lakes in pre-times. In today’s modern world, in spite of the emergence of swimming pools, swimming in rivers and lakes is not yet extinct but a common episode in rural areas. This is in spite of the more adverse risks associated with it such as attacks by marine creatures.
Swimming pools have also been erected in business premises such as large hotels, lodges, resorts, pubs, and motels in a bid to lure guests; families, and businesses travelers.
Looking at the modernized path the world has been taking, it is no surprise to note that more advancements in swimming and swimming pools are on the way and it is all about watching the space; swimming pool’s evolution will certainly continue.
Resources:
- https://myswimpro.com/blog/2019/11/19/10-myths-about-swimming/
- https://www.swimmingpool.com/blog/pool-myths-busted/
- https://blog.thepoolfactory.com/10-myths-about-swimming-pool-chemicals
- https://poolcleanerplanet.com/myths-swimming-pools/
