Indoor Swimming Pool Regulations

An indoor pool is a convenient place to help your children burn off some excess energy during the cool winter months. Many community or private pools have very specific rules for indoor pool use that--if not obeyed--could result in your expulsion from the area. Many pools enforce some general rules, but, usually, every facility has unique rules; always check with yours to determine the specific rules that go along with the basic rules.

  1. Presence of Lifeguards

    • Many organizations will only allow you to use their indoor pools if a certified lifeguard is on duty and may fine you if you have been breaking that rule. Other organizations simply advise you to use the pool when a lifeguard is present but do not prevent you from doing so. In that case, the pool area will have notices informing you of the risks of swimming alone or without a lifeguard. The organization may also not be held liable if they have warned you.

    Unaccompanied Children

    • Most facilities do not allow unaccompanied children to be in a pool area. Some, such as Maryland’s Montgomery County Pool, define children as under age 17, while others, such as New York City’s Department of Parks & Recreation, specify younger ages. Many facilities stipulate that there should be one adult supervisor for every six children.

    Height

    • Rather than limiting pool use by age only, some organizations choose to limit it by height, as well, requiring that a child be more than several inches taller than the deepest part of the pool. This rule is easier for lifeguards to assess, as they can readily ascertain if a child is tall enough.

    Health and Cleanliness

    • Most pools discourage people from entering the indoor pool if they have open sores, lesions or any bandages. This prevents the spread of disease, bacteria and sickness. Many pools also require that swimmers rinse off before they enter the pool. This helps keep the pool cleaner by rinsing off makeup, hair gels and sweat.

    Diving

    • To protect patrons from diving into a pool that is too shallow and hitting their heads, most organizations prohibit diving--unless the pool is deep enough and has a diving board.