Swimming pool safety basics

As we have noted in a number of our posts, summer is the time for road trips. But for those who like enjoying the outdoors without driving hundreds of miles to a destination, a pool party would likely do the trick. But for people who open their homes for these parties, it is important to know and understand the safety responsibilities homeowners have.

Essentially, homeowners have a duty to use reasonable care in making sure that the property is safe for guests when they come over. Also, the must act as a reasonable person would in supervising people, especially children, when they are swimming. Indeed, the supervisory people may not need to have life-saving skills certificates as common lifeguards would have at a public swimming pool, but they should have a basic understanding of how to spot a person who is in distress.

This post will identify a few telltale signs of someone in danger.

Inability to scream or wave one’s arms – For as much fun as kids like to have in the pool, it is common to see them frolicking and screaming as they have fun. If a child is not doing this, especially in the deep end, it may be time for a rescue.

Bobbing desperately – A person in distress, especially a child, may be desperately trying to bounce from the bottom of the pool to propel themselves to the top so that they can breathe. If they can’t do that, they will still try to keep their head above water, often to no avail. So if you see this, it may be time for a rescue.

Rescues may be a matter of split second decisions, but a homeowner could be held liable if they fail to act in a reasonable manner.