Swimming in the News

With high temperatures plaguing much of the country, the pool seems like the best bet to beat the heat. This blog highlights two interesting and entertaining resources recently found in the media that can help keep swimming healthy and enjoyable.

1. CDC’s Healthy Swimming 2011 Video Contest Winner’s Video!

This summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) challenged the public to create a short video to help educate swimmers about pool safety.  The winners, David and Aaron Mathews, worked with friends and family to develop “Recreational Water Illness Police,” a clip that uses humor to inform viewers about the most common recreational water illness—diarrhea. Roger that.

2. Quiz:  Is It Safe To Pee In The Pool … And Other Water Safety Questions

Want to test your water safety knowledge? A Huffington Post online quiz emphasizes key swimming safety issues, some of which are often overlooked, such as showering before entering the pool.  It is important that swimmers shower with soap (especially swimmer “bottoms”) before swimming so they do not introduce harmful bacteria into the pool.  This fact is lost on all but 25 percent of parents according to a recent report.  And no, it is not safe to pee in the pool.