During the heat of the summer, pools are a seasonal staple, providing an oasis escape from soaring temperatures. But while they provide fun and relief, they can be deceptively dangerous if safety isn’t prioritized. Whether you’re a strong swimmer or not, it’s crucial to stay alert and recognize when a person needs help in the event of an emergency in or around water. If a pool-related emergency does occur, you can count on Surepoint Emergency Center to provide fast, expert care when it matters most.

Common Injuries in Swimming Areas

Beyond drowning, many other injuries can occur if safety precautions aren’t followed. The most common causes of pool-related injuries include:

  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Chemical exposure
  • Head and back injuries from diving or falling
  • Injuries from poolside collisions or malfunctioning equipment

Certain incidents like these can result in bruises, fractures, or head and spinal trauma. The best way to prevent these injuries from occurring is by following all pool-related rules, such as walking, no diving in non-diving areas, avoiding drugs and alcohol , and staying in shallow waters if you’re not a confident swimmer.

Drowning

Among all the pool-related injuries, drowning is considered the most dangerous. The American Heart Association released a guide in 2014 outlining vital information on recognizing when a person needs help in the event of a potential drowning. Below is the chart they provided to help recognize these critical warning signs:

In the event of any severe injury or drowning, call 911 immediately

If an Emergency Arises, You Can Rely on Surepoint!

If you or someone you know has experienced a pool related injury or a near -drowning incident, you can rely on Surepoint Emergency Center to provide expert, compassionate care when you need it most. At each one of our Surepoint locations, you can expect:

  • 24/7 emergency care
  • Supplemental oxygen
  • Medications and chest X-ray (for near-drowning victims)
  • IV fluids for temperature management
  • Continuous vital signs monitoring
  • Mechanical ventilation (supports breathing and manages lung function)

If you witness a severe injury or drowning, don’t hesitate–visit your nearest Surepoint Emergency Center for fast and efficient care today!

Surepoint Emergency Center is a modern emergency medical facility open 24/7. As an alternative to the traditional hospital ER experience, we offer convenience and minimal wait time, along with highly-trained emergency medical staff and state-of-the-art equipment.

Our top priority is bringing high-quality emergency care, quickly and easily to your family. We are committed to making patients feel better faster in a comforting and compassionate environment.

Expert convenient care in your neighborhood.

      References:

      American Red Cross. (2010). Swimming and Water Safety [eBook]. Krames Staywell Strategic Partnerships Division. https://swanaquatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Swimming-and-Water-Safety-Manual.pdf

      Matthews, B. L., Thom, A., & Franklin, R. C. (2008). Injuries in public swimming pools in Victoria: a pilot study. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.02.02.03