Pool News
Pool Hygiene: Should You Shower After Swimming In The Pool?
![Pool Hygiene: Should You Shower After Swimming In The Pool?](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/pool-hygiene-should-you-shower-after-swimming-in-the-pool.jpg)
Are you one of those people who immediately jumps out of the pool and races to the shower? If so, you’re not alone. Many people believe that showering after swimming is necessary in order to remove chlorine from their skin. In fact, Francesca Reynolds from Fort Lee, NJ wrote in and asked, “Whenever we swim at our community pool there is an overwhelming chlorine smell on us when we get home. Should I shower after swimming in the pool?”
The question is one that many people often wonder about. In this article, we will discuss the effects of chlorine on the skin and why that chlorine smell after swimming might be driving you straight for the showers.
How Chlorine Reacts With The Skin
Chlorine is a chemical that is used to kill bacteria in swimming pools. While it is effective at killing bacteria, it can also be harsh on the skin. When chlorine comes into contact with the skin, it can cause irritation and dryness. In some cases, it can even lead to eczema. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid swimming in chlorinated water altogether.
Instructions For Swimmers With Skin & Eye Sensitivity To Chlorine
If you do choose to swim in a pool that uses chlorine, there are a few things you can do to protect your skin. First, apply a generous amount of sunscreen before getting into the pool. This will help create a barrier between your skin and the chlorine. Second, try not to stay in the pool for too long. The longer you stay in, the more time your skin has to absorb the chlorine. Finally, make sure to rinse off with fresh water as soon as you get out of the pool. This will help remove any residual chlorine from your skin.
The Saltwater Alternative
If you are a regular swimmer, you may want to consider investing in a pool with a saltwater system. Saltwater pools use salt to generate chlorine, which is gentler on the skin than traditional chlorine. Saltwater pools are also easier to maintain because you don’t have to add chemicals as often. As an added benefit, saltwater pools tend to feel softer and silkier than chlorinated pools.
Should You Shower After Swimming In The Pool?
Wondering, should you shower after swimming? The answer is, yes. If you have truly sensitive skin, it may be best to avoid swimming in chlorinated water altogether. However, if you don’t have sensitive skin, there are steps you can take to protect your skin while swimming. Apply sunscreen, Rinse off with fresh water as soon as you get out of the pool, and consider investing in a saltwater pool.
Is Showering After Swimming in The Pool Necessary?
The addition of chlorine as a disinfectant to swimming pools protects you from waterborne pathogens. The ideal range is somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.0 to 3.0 parts per million. Just a little bit less chlorine is present than in drinking water which is typically 4 parts per million.
People who have discovered that swimming pool water affects their eyes are surprised by this fact. The cause or irritation is actually a chemical reaction between skin cells, sweat, lotions, and yes, even urine from other swimmers, which produces chloramines when it reacts with pool chlorine. If you’ve ever been to a public pool or a swimming pool at a resort, you will smell like chlorine because of these factors and when chlorine in the water can begin to cause skin and eye irritation.
While chlorine creates a safer swimming environment when it reacts with organic compounds a chemical reaction occurs which creates Trihalomethanes (THMs) which are toxic. Chlorine can also cause hair to take on a “bleaching” quality for those who spend an inordinate amount of time in the pool and even make hair turn green. To make a long story short, if everyone showers before entering the pool, the effects of THMs can be greatly reduced.
![Swimming pools with outdoor shower amenities are becoming increasingly popular.](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/swimming-pool-outdoor-showers-1024x707.jpg)
In general, experts advise taking a fast shower before entering a pool to lessen contamination and giving yourself a good scrub with shampoo and soap when you exit to remove any remaining chloramines. It’s also advisable to give your swimsuit a good washing too.
Aside from getting that chlorine smell off your skin and hair, swimming can take a lot out of you physically. A nice warm shower is a great way to wind down after exerting yourself swimming in the pool and we’re not the only ones who seem to feel that way. That feeling of “I need a shower” is almost universal and perhaps a contributing factor to why building an outdoor shower is fast becoming one of the more popular outdoor amenities to add when installing a swimming pool in the backyard.
Pool News
French Diver Makes Splash After Flop At Opening of Olympic Pool
![French Diver Makes Splash After Flop At Opening of Olympic Pool](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/french-diver-flops-at-olympics-pool.jpg)
French Olympic diver, Alexis Jandard, created a memorable moment at the grand opening of Paris’s new Olympic pool, though not quite in the manner he had envisioned.
A startling video captured during the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Paris Aquatics Center on Thursday showcased the 26-year-old Olympian’s unfortunate landing on his right foot while gearing up to dive alongside two fellow athletes. Adorned in a Speedo reflecting the hues of the French flag, Jandard’s discomforting descent saw him landing on his back, ricocheting off the nearly 10-foot-high dive board, and somersaulting into the pool in a rather ungraceful manner.
The incident unfolded in front of a sizable crowd of onlookers, including French President Emmanuel Macron and various dignitaries. Jandard later displayed his scraped back on his Instagram account, maintaining a light-hearted approach to his embarrassing mishap by quipping, “For your information, my back is fine, but my ego…”
Sharing a photo of his reddened back, courtesy of the encounter with the diving board, on Instagram Stories, Jandard assured followers of his well-being. Speaking to RMC Sport, he recounted the unexpected turn of events, stating, “I’m fine. I didn’t hurt myself; unfortunately, these things happen. It happened at a time when I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
![Alexis Jandard injured his back at the inauguration of the new Olympic Pool in Paris. Photo Credit: @alexis_jandard - Instagram](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/alexis-jandard-back-1024x576.jpg)
Reflecting on the incident, Jandard humorously noted, “I’ve broken boards before, but the board had never broken me before. Now it has.” Despite the hiccup, he maintained an optimistic outlook, remarking, “I would have preferred this ceremony to have gone well from A to Z. There was that little hitch. If it made people smile a little, so much the better.”
Explaining the mishap, Jandard clarified that his leg gave way upon landing but denied any slippage, emphasizing, “It’s a non-slip [board], and what’s more, the board was new, beautiful, and I think there’s still [some of] my back on the board there.”
With a silver and bronze under his belt at the 2022 and 2023 World Aquatics Championships, respectively, Jandard took the incident in stride, admitting, “It’s a shame, but it’s funny. When you take a step back, it’s funny.”
Looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Games this summer, where he is set to compete, Jandard acknowledged the inevitability of such occurrences in his sport, jesting, “These things happen,” while playfully lamenting, “It had to happen in front of the president and the whole of France. I think we chose the right moment.”
Despite being inundated with supportive messages and playful jabs, Jandard maintained a good-natured stance, urging his followers on Instagram, “Enjoy yourselves, make fun of me. I seriously deserve it!”
Pool News
Earthquake in Taiwan Causes Waterfall From Rooftop Pool
A massive earthquake in Taiwan transforms a rooftop pool into a waterfall. View viral footage.
![Earthquake in Taiwan Causes Waterfall From Rooftop Pool](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/taiwan-earthquake-pool.jpg)
In a harrowing turn of events, Taiwan was struck by a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake, leaving devastation in its wake. The quake, the strongest to hit the island in 25 years, shook the east coast of Taiwan, particularly affecting the city of Hualien and its surrounding areas. With a depth of 34.8 kilometers, the epicenter of the earthquake was located 18 kilometers south of Hualien, according to the US Geological Survey.
As rescue efforts are underway to free those trapped under rubble and debris, the toll of the disaster continues to rise. At least nine individuals have lost their lives, while over 900 others have sustained injuries. The aftermath of the earthquake has left over 100 buildings damaged, with reports of landslides and collapsed structures adding to the chaos.
The force of the quake was so immense that it caused a surreal sight—a rooftop swimming pool overflowing and cascading down the side of a building, creating an impromptu waterfall. Footage captured during the earthquake also shows the sheer force as a man inside a pool struggles to maintain balance, the water swaying violently from side to side.
The region of Hualien County, with a population of approximately 300,000, faces immense challenges in assessing the full extent of the damage. Many inhabitants reside in remote coastal or mountain communities, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach them promptly. The precarious situation is exacerbated by the expectation of aftershocks, with 29 aftershocks greater than a magnitude of 4.0 already recorded near the epicenter.
Compounding the crisis are reports of miners trapped in two mines in Hualien, adding urgency to the rescue operations. Furthermore, over 91,000 households are grappling with power cuts, amplifying the difficulties faced by residents in the aftermath of the disaster.
Despite the widespread destruction, medical facilities in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei City, are functioning, albeit damaged. The Municipal Government has confirmed that hospitals are operating normally, providing critical care to the injured.
The international community has responded swiftly to the catastrophe, with the Biden administration monitoring the situation closely and expressing readiness to offer assistance. In the face of adversity, Taiwan is rallying its resources and resilience, demonstrating solidarity and resolve in confronting this natural disaster.
As the dust settles and the extent of the damage becomes clearer, questions arise about the effectiveness of early warning detection systems in mitigating the impact of natural disasters. Despite Taiwan’s investment in advanced seismic technology, including early warning systems designed to provide crucial seconds of alert before an earthquake strikes, many residents were caught off guard by the sudden and violent tremors. Reports indicate that the early warning detection system, while operational, did not reach a significant portion of the population in time to take preventive action
Pool News
Patent Pending Apple Watch SOS Feature Could Prevent Drownings
![Patent Pending Apple Watch SOS Feature Could Prevent Drownings](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/apple-watch-sos-drowning-prevention.jpg)
A forthcoming feature potentially destined for the Apple Watch, as detailed in a recent patent application, could serve as a lifesaver for swimmers at risk of drowning.
Outlined in the patent is a capability for the Watch to identify “irregular behavior” and automatically trigger a distress call for assistance.
Apple underscores the alarming statistics surrounding drowning, particularly its prevalence among children, as a leading cause of accidental fatalities.
In the United States alone, drowning claims the lives of over 3,500 individuals annually, ranking as the fifth most common form of accidental death. Tragically, a significant portion of these victims are children.
Emphasizing the critical importance of swift intervention during water emergencies, Apple highlights the dire consequences of prolonged submersion without resuscitation, which can result in brain damage and ultimately, drowning.
A Growing Need For Cost-Effective Wearable Solutions
While acknowledging existing underwater camera systems in some swimming pools aimed at detecting distressed swimmers and alerting lifeguards, Apple notes their costliness and unreliability.
Consequently, there’s a pressing need for a simpler, more cost-effective drowning prevention solution suitable for all types of water bodies, including public and private pools, as well as natural settings like lakes and ponds where installing underwater cameras is impractical.
The patent proposes leveraging wearable devices such as the Apple Watch for broader applicability, increased reliability, and the ability to detect various types of emergencies.
Alerting When Swimmers Are In Distress
For instance, if the Watch detects a wearer who is not proficient in swimming entering deeper water, it can promptly dispatch an alert instead of waiting for signs of distress.
These alerts can be transmitted to nearby devices, including those of friends and family, and seamlessly integrate with existing drowning detection and alarm systems to ensure lifeguards are promptly notified.
Apple Watches already boast capabilities to detect and respond to falls, vehicle accidents, and cardiac irregularities. Heartwarming testimonials featured in Apple’s “Dear Apple” video series show individuals whose lives were saved by these functionalities.
As with many patents from Apple, it’s important to note that not all concepts may materialize into actual products. Nonetheless, this innovation stands as a promising addition for potential integration into future watchOS updates.
-
Pool News4 weeks ago
Landslide Damages Homes, Destroys Swimming Pool in California
-
Manufacturer2 weeks ago
SRS Distribution Announces Next Phase of Growth by Combining with The Home Depot to Better Serve Professional Customers
-
Pool News4 weeks ago
Fluidra Launches €20 Million Venture Capital Fund – Fluidra Ventures
-
Cleaning and Service Equipment and Supplies2 weeks ago
Recent Leslie’s/Harris Poll Study Shows Nearly Three-Quarters of Americans Mistakenly Assume Clear Pool Water Is Clean, Swim-Safe Water
-
Manufacturer4 weeks ago
BofA Downgrades Latham Group Citing Weak Pool Construction Market
-
Pool News2 weeks ago
Hotel Pool Had Numerous Violations in Case Where 8-Year-Old Was Pulled Into Pipe
-
Pool News5 days ago
Earthquake in Taiwan Causes Waterfall From Rooftop Pool
-
Equipment Supplies3 weeks ago
FWP Faces Class Action Lawsuit Stemming From 2023 Cyberattack