By: Wes King
When we think about pool safety, our minds often jump straight to the “big” things: Are the gates locked? Is there a lifeguard on duty? While those are critical, true water safety actually starts much earlier and much closer to the surface. But what I have learned over the last 31 years, As an Aquatic professional, is to rely on what I can see, what I can hear, and my other senses!
Over the years, I’ve learned that a pool tells you exactly how safe it is before you even dip a toe in. If you know what to look, touch, and smell for, you can identify a “low-risk” versus a “high-risk” environment in seconds.
In the industry, we often look at safety through two lenses: the Bird’s-eye view and the Dog’s-eye view. Here is how to use your senses to ensure your swim stays refreshing rather than regrettable. I will also share how the “birds eye / dog’s eye” viewpoint is relevant in staff management, and problem resolution on an almost a daily basis in Aquatic management.
1. The Sight Test: A Bird’s-Eye View
From a Bird’s-eye view, the most basic indicator of a safe pool is clarity. You should be able to see the main drain at the deepest part of the pool clearly. If the water is cloudy, hazy, or “milky,” that is a massive red flag.
• Why it matters: Turbidity (cloudiness) isn’t just a chemistry issue; it’s a life-safety issue. If a swimmer is in distress at the bottom, they must be visible immediately.
• The VGB Connection: While you’re looking down, check that drain cover. Thanks to the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Pool and Spa Safety Act, those covers must be curved (anti-entrapment) to prevent hair or limb suction. If the drain looks flat or broken, stay out. It’s not just an old drain; it’s a hazard.
2. The Touch Test: A Dog’s-Eye View
Sometimes you have to get down low—the Dog’s-eye view—to see what’s really happening on the ground level.
• The Deck: Is the pool deck excessively slippery or, conversely, are there cracked tiles? Slips and falls are the “unseen” villains of the pool world.
• The Water Feel: Does the water feel “sticky” or oily on your skin? High levels of “bather load” (that’s a polite industry term for sweat and sunscreen) that haven’t been properly oxidized can make the water feel “heavy.” Safe water should feel crisp, not like you’re swimming in a bowl of soup.
3. The Smell Test: The “Chlorine” Myth
We’ve all walked into an indoor pool and been hit by that overwhelming “pool smell.” Most people think that means the pool is extra clean. It’s actually the opposite. * The Science: That smell is caused by chloramines—the byproduct of chlorine reacting with contaminants (yep, including pee). A strong odor usually indicates that the water is struggling to keep up with the people in it.
• The Risk: Strong chloramines can cause respiratory irritation and stinging eyes. If you smell “heavy chlorine,” the pool actually needs more treatment, not less. A truly safe, well-managed pool should have almost no scent at all.
Identifying Real-World Risk
Safety is a snapshot in time. A pool that was safe at 10:00 AM might be high-risk by 2:00 PM if:
• Overcrowding occurs: When the bather load exceeds the facility’s design, visibility drops and the risk of collisions increases.
• The VGB Standard Fails: Are there missing drain covers? Are the ladders loose? The VGB Act changed the industry by mandating secondary backup systems, but those only work if the hardware is maintained.
Awareness is our first line of defense. By paying attention to what we see, touch, and feel, we become active participants in our own safety.
Contact the author, Wes!
Wesley G. King, FMFA, CPO | Owner & Founder of Wesley King Consulting, LLC
www.weskingco.com | 224-698-0828
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