ok, this is the second time in the past two weeks I've not been able to go swim due to thunderstorm activity.
Now don't get me wrong.. I LOOOOOVE Thunderstorms, but not being able to swim when you've looked forward to doing so since the previous evening is just no fun at all. :mad:
I was literally out the building and on my way to the Y when an clap of thunder abruptly stopped me in my tracks.. I just turned right around and went back into the building. (and onto the discussion boards of course! lol)
Anyone else go to indoor pools that close during storms? In Oklahoma during spring and early summer it sometimes ends up being like a hail mary to decide to go to practice in hopes that there won't be a storm.:rolleyes:
Former Member
Our Y has a lightning detector at the outdoor pool set for 5 miles. It goes off, everyone gets out and stays out until 20 minutes have passed since the last lightning was detected. The thing is, our indoor poor is 3 or 4 miles away and when the lightning detector at the outdoor pool goes off the indoor pool closes too.
The area where I live has afternoon thunderstorms just like FL. during the Spring and Summer. It can be a pain in the bottom.
Lainey
So some places shut down the indoor pools when there is a threat of lightning and other do not. Mine does not. I'd invite the rest of y'all to swim here, but it's too crowded already, and too warm, and too many people already want to swim in MY lane... So I'll keep my pool location a secret. (Or, just follow the lightning...)
Originally posted by aquageek
Your own stats say 8% of colorado lightning death are water related. How many of those are indoor swimmers versus boaters, fishermen, lake drunkards, etc?
At some point I think I'm ok assuming the risk
Or drunk indoor boater/fishermen…Hey, I was only cutting and pasting from the report, it wasn’t my research. In fact, to me, some of the information seems contradictory “these fatalities had 1 common denominator: being near the highest object or being the tallest object in the immediate area. This single factor accounted for 56% of all fatalities from Colorado.” How much lower to the ground can you get than in a pool?
And if it was a question of assuming personal risk instead of the pool being held liable, I’m sure we’d see fewer pool closings. I know if given the option I’d be willing to risk it about 9 times out of 10.
Originally posted by Rob Copeland
And if it was a question of assuming personal risk instead of the pool being held liable, I’m sure we’d see fewer pool closings. I know if given the option I’d be willing to risk it about 9 times out of 10.
Exactly.. you hit the nail on the head Rob! It's all about fear of getting sued. Understandably of course, though sometimes it'd be nice if we could just take our own risks if we so choose to.
Originally posted by Kevin in MD
I find it preposterous to think the electricity from a lightning strike would pass from the earth (ground) to the pipes and then back into the earth.
How about when a power line faills down into a puddle of water? By your reasoning, the electricity already has direct access to the earth and shouldn't shock anyone stepping into the water at any distance away.
One web site mentions that lightning can carry about 30,000 amps of charge. If you remember your basic electronics, that current will travel every path to a ground, even the high resistance paths.
Originally posted by sibleyclan
I quite agree if we're just talking about adults. What about kids? I can't think of a one that wouldn't elect to stay in the pool if given the choice. Mine are usually quite peeved when they're made to get out.
Maybe they figure a blanket policy is better (easier :confused: ) than a differentiated one.
yeah, I know you're right, and I understand the reason for why the policy is the way it is. Kids for sure would stay in you're absolutely right.. heck i would have.. I Still would (depending on the gravity of the situation etc...)
Just makes it frustrating when your schedule is tight and the few times you can get to the pool in the week are shortened.
If i remember my college physics,the charge in an enclosed conductor is always ZERO. Thats why a car is safe in a thunder storm(not because it has rubber tires.) Most indoor pools are going to have metal surrounding them in the walls making them essentially inside an enclosed conductor and therefore safe.
Originally posted by mattson
How about when a power line faills down into a puddle of water?
It would be more accurate to say what if a power line falls on a warehouse in which I am standing that has a puddle of water inside the warehouse.
I would stand in the puddle if my heart desired yes.
A power line in a puddle is like lightning hitting the pool, the current will pass through the water to the ground and you wouldn't want to be in the way.
Originally posted by SwiminONandON
The problem is if you were swimming in an indoor pool and got fried they aren't worried about you suing (your a bit too crispy) they are worried about your family suing.
Actually, they'd be more happy if your family sued as dead people are worth less than living disabled people.
Originally posted by jswim
Exactly.. you hit the nail on the head Rob! It's all about fear of getting sued. Understandably of course, though sometimes it'd be nice if we could just take our own risks if we so choose to.
I quite agree if we're just talking about adults. What about kids? I can't think of a one that wouldn't elect to stay in the pool if given the choice. Mine are usually quite peeved when they're made to get out.
Maybe they figure a blanket policy is better (easier :confused: ) than a differentiated one.
