I'd planned a massive Saturday morning swim today at the Y, but I'm here on the couch blogging because there's a thunderstorm in progress. A few years ago the Y started closing the pool (indoors) during lightning. After all these years. All of a sudden.
How many of you practice at facilities where the pool closes down in lightning storms?
Is there a good reason for this?
Have we all been risking our lives for the last 50 years?
Just wondering!
I don't think windows are a factor. Apparently the problem is the metal pipes connecting the filter to the pool. If there's a conductive path between something outside and the pool pipes any outdoor strike could electrocute someone in the pool. Obviously the chances are slim. We're talking about a direct strike on the building where the pool is located.
One pool I swam at closed the pool whenever there is a thunder/lightning a certain distance/time away (I forgot, but it's something like, say 10 miles away or 5 minutes away--I just made these numbers). Once I just put on my suit and was about to enter the pool, it closed around 8pm due to nearby thunder, so we all waited for it to pass, but it never did, so we had to eventually leave without ever swimming when the pool finally closed on its normal closing time. Very frustrating. Another day, my wait paid off: when the pool reopened after the thunder, I found myself alone in the pool, and I wished to swim diagonally across the pool but not for the lane lines :D
It may depend on whether your pool has windows and how big the windows are. The pool that I mentioned had huge windows. Other pool where I swam either had no window or very small window, so seems not affected by thunder/lightning (they didn't close)? Or has it to do with the height?
National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Lightning Safety for Athletics and Recreation
Journal of Athletic Training 2000;35(4):471–477
www.nata.org/.../lightning.pdf
We never get lightning storms here so I can't answer the question, but I have heard that there is some danger even in indoor pools during thunderstorms. I have a feeling the risk is very, very small but most pools probably aren't willing to take that risk in today's litigious society.
I miss good thunderstorms, but I don't miss having to get out of the pool for them. OK, I do remember a few instances when I was a teenager not being terribly upset that a practice finished early due to lightning! :)
Excerpts from the JATA article cited earlier:
Lightning current can enter a building via the electric or telephone wiring. It can also enter via a ground current through the incoming plumbing pipelines. This condition makes locker-room shower areas, swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), telephones, and electric appliances unsafe during thunderstorms because of the possible contact with current-carrying conduction. While such reports are rare, people have been killed or injured by lightning in their homes while talking on the telephone, taking a shower, or standing near household appliances such as dishwashers, stoves, or refrigerators.1,3,8,13–15
Even though a swimming pool may be indoors and apparently safe, it can be a dangerous location during thunderstorms.25 The current can be propagated through plumbing and electric connections via the underwater lights and drains of most swimming pools. Lightning current can also enter the building, either into the electric wiring inside the building or through underground plumbing pipelines that enter the building.8 If lightning strikes the building or ground nearby, the current will most likely follow these pathways to the swimmers through the water. Thus, indoor-pool activities are potentially dangerous and should be avoided during thunderstorms.25
The American Red Cross Lifeguard standards:
"In the event of thunder or lightning, lifeguards should:
Clear everyone from the water at the first sound of thunder or first sight of lightning. Lifeguards in an elevated station should get down immediately. Move everyone to a safe area. For outdoor facilities, move everyone inside. Large buildings are safer than smaller or open structures, such as picnic shelters or gazebos.
Keep patrons & staff our of showers & locker rooms suring a thunderstorm. Water & metal can conduct electricity.
Refrain from using a telephone connected to a land-line except in an emergency
Keep everyone away from windows & metal objects (e.g., doorframes, lockers).
Keep watching for more storms & monitor weather reports on a braodcast radio or weather radio."
"The National Lightning Safety Institute recommends waiting 30 minutes after the sound of thunder is heard before resuming activities" www.lightningsafety.com/
