Drowning is one of the leading causes of deaths among children under 12 years old. However, that’s not the only danger you have to worry about when you take your son or daughter to the pool this summer.
My 7-year-old daughter is a fish. She swims with ease and is very mindful of water safety measures whether she is at the pool, ocean or lake. As a mom, my level of anxiety is quite low when we take a water-themed family trip because of my daughter’s ability to swim.
So, imagine my surprise when my child suffered a pool-related problem last week.
For the past few days we’ve been baking under record high temperatures. It’s been in the mid-90s, which is virtually unheard of for Northern Wisconsin, especially since summer doesn’t officially start until next week.
Mother Nature’s identity crisis sent us packing for our neighborhood pool to cool off. Unfortunately, I neglected to take into account the water temperature before allowing my daughter to dive in and paid for it later.
According to the American Red Cross, the safest water temperature for swimming ranges between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. While most public pools maintain a certain water temperature year-round, the pool we have access to is private and does not have a heater. Little did I know that the water was barely 76 degrees when I allowed my daughter to jump in.
She dove in and spent a while in the cold water before exiting the pool shaking like a leaf. According to safety experts, age, weight and type of swimming factor into safe water temperatures. For example, if you are swimming laps or racing, the water temperature should be about 80 degrees. However, for young children and the elderly, water temperatures should range from 82 to 86 degrees. Meanwhile, obese swimmers and pregnant women are fine swimming in water between 78 and 84 degrees. As for babies and toddlers, who are smaller and have a hard time regulating their body temperatures, the water temperature should be 84 to 86 degrees in order for them to be as safe and comfortable as possible.
As refreshing as a dip in a cool pool may be, keep in mind that exposure to cold water for long periods of time can lower your core body temperature and cause severe harm. The Red Cross warns that cold water can reduce your body heat 25 times quicker than cold air. Add to that the physically exhausting nature of swimming, and a child can lose body heat at a dangerously rapid pace.
To avoid turning your summer into a real bummer, check the temperature of the water before allowing your child to swim for long periods of time. What’s more, don’t buy into the adage that your body will get used to cold water once you’re in it for a while. According to experts, once your core body temperature reaches 93 degrees, you lose feeling in your arms and legs, and your mental function begins to deteriorate. At 80 degrees, you can lose consciousness and drown.
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