QUESTION: Why does pool water feel so cold yet the life guard tells me the temperature is 80ºF?
ANSWER: 80ºF water feels the same as 60ºF air, consequently, you will be cold if you don't swim to generate body heat. A person will feel the same degree of comfort in 90°F water as he or she would feel in 70ºF air, consequently, very warm water is extremely important.
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QUESTION: Are bathing caps required?
ANSWER: Bathing caps are no longer required in most states. It is preferred that you not use them because they can cause discomfort and even headaches. If hair is of a length that interferes with vision and breathing, you may wish to tie or pin it back so it does not become a distraction.
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QUESTION: I wear glasses/contacts. Can I wear them in the swimming pool?
ANSWER: Glasses can be worn in the pool and removed when necessary. Contacts are highly recommended because they may be worn with goggles which are provided to all students for their class.
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QUESTION: Is there any reason why I shouldn't wear jewelry in the pool?
ANSWER: Earrings particularly have a tendency to become loosened and lost in the pool. It is advisable to leave jewelry at home.
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QUESTION: Is chlorinated water damaging to hair?
ANSWER: It is advisable to shampoo and condition hair after leaving the pool. Hair becomes dry and brittle from prolonged exposure to pool water. Also, hair that has been artificially lightened may have a tendency to take on a slight greenish highlight when exposed to pool water for many hours over many weeks. In such cases, you may want to use a bathing cap. Ask your salon about a conditioner that is mild enough to keep in your hair for several hours at a time, covered with a bathing cap. This will help prevent your hair from absorbing chemically treated pool water.
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QUESTION: What kind of bathing suit is recommended?
ANSWER: The most practical kind of suit is 100% nylon, available at some sporting goods stores. They come in a variety of colors, styles, and designs with liners and bras or without. All suits should be rinsed in tap water to remove chlorine from the fabric after swimming. Suits that have a stretch to the fabric are usually made of Spandex or Lycra fibers and are not recommended because they will rapidly deteriorate in pool water. Many pool surfaces are abrasive when you rub against them and will cause undue wear on suits if not careful.
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QUESTION: When I open my eyes underwater everything is very blurry and the chlorine burns my eyes. Is there any way that I can solve this problem?
ANSWER: Based on the normal standard of 20/20, vision underwater is 20/400 without the aid of goggles or a mask. Most states consider persons with 20/200 vision to be legally blind. The use of goggles will restore normal vision while underwater. They also protect the eyes from the irritating effects of chlorinated water. You will be loaned a pair of custom fit goggles at the beginning of your first program.
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QUESTION: I've heard about a condition called "swimmer's ear." Can you tell me more about it?
ANSWER: Swimmer's ear is a very painful inflammation of the outer ear canal. If water remains in the ear canal for many hours, conditions become conducive for the growth of bacteria. It is not a common occurrence, however. Students should be sure that the ear canal is free of water after leaving the pool. Commercially prepared solutions of isopropyl alcohol and boric acid are available at most pharmacies as a non-prescription remedy and may be needed for those who find that their ears do not readily drain. If you cannot remove all of the water from your ear this can often be a symptom of wax buildup in the outer ear canal.
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QUESTION: Is it OK to eat before going swimming?
ANSWER: One should eat lightly before any physical activity simply for comfort. There is no such thing as a stomach cramp.
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QUESTION: How come some people can float so much better than I can?
ANSWER: With few exceptions, everyone floats, however most people think they are that exception and 99% are not. The degree of buoyancy is dependent upon several factors: the ratio of fatty to muscle tissue, the amount of bone mass and lung capacity. Generally speaking, the elderly, women, and persons who are not physically fit have a tendency to float better because they have a higher fat to muscle tissue ratio even if they are very slim. Also, fully inflated lungs will enhance buoyancy tremendously.
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QUESTION: Are leg, toe and foot cramps anything to be concerned about?
ANSWER: No undue concern is needed. Cramps are uncomfortable but certainly will not endanger one's life unless you panic. The best remedy is to massage the affected area or stretch the involved muscles.
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QUESTION: Sometimes I'm aware of a pressure on my chest while in the pool. What is the cause of this?
ANSWER: Water weighs approximately 60 pounds per cubic foot. It is this weight that causes the sensation of pressure. Water pressure increases by 1/2 pound per square inch per foot of depth. The sensation of pressure can also be felt in the ears and sinuses as you descend downward toward the bottom of the pool.
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QUESTION: Why do most pools require that a shower be taken before entering the pool?
ANSWER: A shower will rinse soap, oils, cologne, deodorants and perspiration from the skin. During such functions as public swims, these substances can be in such large quantities that they will alter the chemistry of the pool water causing murky water, irritation to the eyes and a chlorine smell in the air. |