Last Thursday at my local YMCA, I almost couldn't complete my workout because I could not control my coughing towards the end. I have been swimming at this Y without any issues for a year. Yesterday (Tuesday), I had the same thing happen. I swam outdoors on Sunday, and had no issues. I ran this morning outdoors and had no issues. This is twice now that this particular Y has caused me to stop swimming because of coughing in the past week. The lifeguards say the water levels are fine.
I hear others complaining of high pH levels in this saline pools which produces higher chlorine levels. I am not a chemist, so I am only repeating what I have heard.
Are there any respitory issues that I could be subjecting myself to by swimming this poorly ventilated pool?
Many swimmers not born with asthma have developed it after years of swimming in poorly ventilated pools. I have several friends that were diagnosed in their thirties with asthma and all the doctors were of the opinion that swimming in a poorly ventilated pool was a big factor.
Bring your problem to the attention of the Y director. Perhaps something is wrong with the ventilation system and/or chemical balance of the pool. By bringing it to his/her attention, perhaps the problem can be corrected. I have to bring it to the attention of my Y all the time and they usually try to do something about it.
Check the water temp because high water temps always seem to aggravate the problem. If lap swimmers never say anything to the director, the folks that complain when the water is below 86 will always win out.
When my Y has ventilation problems and it is not getting fixed quickly, I find another pool to swim in until the problem is corrected. I have asthma, so ventilation/chemical balance is something I have to consider when I swim. I have to drive a little bit further, but it is worth it. Better to do that then have to be put on a stiff dose of prednisone because of respiratory problems.
Many swimmers not born with asthma have developed it after years of swimming in poorly ventilated pools. I have several friends that were diagnosed in their thirties with asthma and all the doctors were of the opinion that swimming in a poorly ventilated pool was a big factor.
Bring your problem to the attention of the Y director. Perhaps something is wrong with the ventilation system and/or chemical balance of the pool. By bringing it to his/her attention, perhaps the problem can be corrected. I have to bring it to the attention of my Y all the time and they usually try to do something about it.
Check the water temp because high water temps always seem to aggravate the problem. If lap swimmers never say anything to the director, the folks that complain when the water is below 86 will always win out.
When my Y has ventilation problems and it is not getting fixed quickly, I find another pool to swim in until the problem is corrected. I have asthma, so ventilation/chemical balance is something I have to consider when I swim. I have to drive a little bit further, but it is worth it. Better to do that then have to be put on a stiff dose of prednisone because of respiratory problems.
