How deep?

Recently USA-Swimming instituted a new rule that required all pools to be at least 4 feet deep at the starting end of the pool, if starting blocks are to be allowed. Masters has a the same rule, however there is special exception for pools 3’6” to 4 feet that allows shorter blocks. The Masters rule will likely change to reflect the USA-S rule. The depth is determined by the minimum pool depth when measured at points from 1 meter to 5 meters away from the wall. Now with all of the rules out of the way, from personal observation I know of a few swimmers who tend to bottom-out in shallow pools. Most have learned to adapt a shallow water dive, some after close encounters with tile and concrete. I can’t help with any technical research, but you may be able to get some information from the National Pool and Spa Institute (/www.nspi.org). Just another reason to get into open water swimming, where the deep end is sometimes 2 miles deep!

Lainey, Without knowing the intent of your facility to add starting blocks to the proposed pool, I would still think that they're asking for trouble, unless they plan on hiring some super vigilant life guards. Kids will be kids and it's only a matter of time before one of them decides to take a nose dive into the bottom. We have code requirements in the NorthEast which may have also become a national standard to ensure pool safety. No matter how well marked the water depths are, there's always a chance for injury. Take a look at some diving accident reports on the internet....I think the risk of serious injury would be enough to motivate your people on going a tad deeper at least on one end. Good luck, Val.

Lainey, As Rob previously stated in his post, USA-S Swimming has adopted a new rule which was originally developed for the high school swimming association. Basically it states that if the water depth is less than five feet, then no starting blocks are allowed. A good reason to lobby for a deeper pool other than the safety issue. The following information may be helpful to you..... (www.ihsaa.org/.../02StartingBlock.htm) (www.swimutah.com/frontpage.htm) Regards, Val.

There are diving blocks there now, but are going to be removed. I agree whole heartedly that someone will ignore a no diving sign and get seriously hurt, even without diving blocks. I have a friend who, many years ago, dove into the DEEP end of a shallow pool and broke his neck at C3 and C4 and became a quaraplegic. I'm asking about a minimum depth for safe starts off the blocks so I can write a letter requesting that the depth be kept at least x feet, then support it with facts. thanks, Lainey

I only 5'4" so the pools that are between 6 feet to 8 feet all around make it difficult for me to get out of the pool without a ladder. But I do agree that the swallow end should be 4 feet for safety reasons.

The Journal of Swimming Science Vol.13 (1998) 23-30 has an article "Biomechanical analysis of competitive swimming starts and spinal cord injuries" by Gehlsen and Wingfield. If you cannot get a copy I have one. The USA swimming rule is Article 103 Facilities Standards. My high school pool and masters pool Saari Stadium had 32 inch above the water starting blocks into less than 4 feet of water. I fought this for years and finally got the blocks into the 9 feet deep end. The new rules allow a starting block less than 18 inches for water 3'6'' to 4'0". Less than 3'6" they allow NO blocks! These rules apply for practice, races and teaching!!!!! I HATE shallow pools, unfortunately many of our National championships have been at what I call shallow depth. Santa Clara is shallow to me. I would like to know the start depth at Arizona State. Coach Wayne McCauley ASCA Level 5 Masters

Most of us remember pools of our youth that had the starting blocks at 3"5" to 4'. I think a comprise would be in order, 5 feet for us short swimmers that have to use a ladder in a pool that is 7 feet deep. Its no fun waiting your turn at the ladder. But how to find pools that fit the comprise. The pre-1980 pools which are 3'5" to 4' and the modern pools which are 6 feet to 7 feet around which many shorter and older swimmers have difficulty getting out of the pool without help from someone else or the ladder.

The new rules are that there are no block starts in less than 4 feet of water. At under 4' you must start from the deck or in the water.

I practice in a rec pool in that is 4 feet to 6 feet in the middle and I don't hurt myself from a dive. Children could drown in 8 feet water as well if they don't know how to swim. The pool I practice is deeper at the diving area around 8 feet, so kids can dive and be safe. Two master meets I been too were 6 feet and 7.5 feet around which does make it difficult for me to get out without a ladder and one only had one ladder around so I had to swim across. Another pool I was concern about the safety issue it was only 3.5 at the end and we dive without the blocks. I was saying that the swallow end could be 5 feet since some people don't know how to swim and it could be 7 to 8 feet at the deeper end.

Originally posted by laineybug I am so glad I posted this question. I had absolutely no idea that starts from blocks would be allowed in such shallow water! I guess it might be realitively safe for experienced swimmers. But, what about the children's team, or an adult, when they are learning starts? What about that impulsive kid who, before the guard can say no running, goes in head first? What about the swimmer who just plain misjudges when diving? Thanks for all your input. A facility with water that shallow would be irresponsible to leave blocks in place between meets, i.e., when the pool is open to general, untrained users. Not only could those users be seriously -- even catastrophically -- injured, the facility would be exposing itself to major liability. I'd be surprised if they could get insurance coverage, if they did.