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• Americans swim hundreds of millions of times each year in pools, oceans, lakes, rivers and hot tubs/spas.
• Swimming is the most popular recreational activity for children & teens (ages 7-17).
• Most people have a safe and healthy time enjoying the water, but illnesses and injuries can occur.

• The benefits of water-based activity outweigh the risks of illness and injury. http://go.usa.gov/cuV8y
• Water-based exercise can help people with chronic diseases, such as arthritis.
• Water-based exercise puts little or no stress on joints. In arthritis patients, it improves use of affected joints.
• Water-based exercise improves mental health—for example it decreases depression and improves mood.
• Water-based exercise can benefit older adults by improving the quality of life and decreasing disability.
• Water-based exercise can improve or maintain the bone health of post-menopausal women.
• Swimming can be a great way to get and stay fit during pregnancy.
• Water is 4x thicker than air. A 400 yard swim = 1 mile run.  Work up to it, get in shape & lose weight.
• When you are in better physical condition, you can also swim longer distances.
• You can enjoy your time at the lake or in the pool much more when you are in shape.
• Don’t be bashful about poor swimming skills, take lessons. You can learn to swim at any age.
• Swimming is great exercise. It combines strength, stamina and technique.
• Swimming and alcohol are never a good combination.  If you are going to swim, stay sober.

• Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are illnesses caused by germs and chemicals found in the water we swim in.
• Learn more about recreational water illnesses (RWIs) at http://go.usa.gov/cuVg4
• Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are caused by swallowing, breathing in mists of & having contact with contaminated water.
• Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are often linked to swimming in pools, hot tubs/spas, water parks, and splash parks.
• Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) include gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic and wound infections.
• Swimmers might introduce poop into the water if they don’t shower before getting in or have diarrheal incident in the water.
• Poop from swimmers might contain germs. If the germs are swallowed by other swimmers, then they can be infected & become sick.
• Help prevent recreational water illnesses (RWIs) with the Steps of Healthy Swimming: http://go.usa.gov/cuV4W

Diarrhea

• Diarrhea is the most common recreational water illness (RWI). Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea so others don’t get sick!
• A single diarrheal incident can introduce millions of germs into the water. If people swallow the water, they could get sick.
• More than 1 in 5 American adults do not know that swimming while ill with diarrhea can potentially make other swimmers sick.
• Have diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium (Crypto)? Stay out of the water while sick and the 2 weeks after symptoms stop.

Outbreaks

• In 2009-2010, 81 recreational water illness (RWI) outbreaks made over 1,300 people sick in U.S.
• In 2009-2010, Cryptosporidium (Crypto), caused more than half of recreational water illness (RWI) outbreaks of diarrheal illness.

Cryptosporidium (Crypto)

• Cryptosporidium (Crypto) is a germ that causes diarrhea lasting up to 2-3 weeks in healthy people. http://go.usa.gov/cuV4R
• Cryptosporidium (Crypto) is the leading cause of U.S. outbreaks linked to the water we swim in.
• Cryptosporidium (Crypto) comes from poop from infected swimmers and can survive for up to 10 days in well-chlorinated pools.
• Cryptosporidium (Crypto) can lead to fatal weight loss and malnutrition in people with weakened immune systems.
• In 2007, Cryptosporidium (Crypto) caused a statewide outbreak linked to swimming pools, sickening thousands.
• Prevent Crypto—follow the Steps of Healthy Swimming! http://go.usa.gov/cuV4W

Giardia

• Giardia is a germ that causes diarrhea. Illness can last a few days or weeks or even longer. http://go.usa.gov/cuV4R
• Giardia is one of the leading causes of U.S. outbreaks linked to the water we swim in.
• Giardia comes from poop from infected swimmers and can survive up to 45 minutes in a well-chlorinated pool.
• Prevent Giardia infection—follow the Steps of Healthy Swimming! http://go.usa.gov/cuV4W

Swimmer’s ear

• Swimmer’s ear is an infection that can occur if contaminated water stays in the ear canal for a long time. http://go.usa.gov/cuV4d
• Swimmer’s ear is common in children and swimmers of all ages.
• Germs that can be found in pools, such as (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), are the most common cause of swimmer’s ear.
• Swimmer’s ear results in an estimated 2.4 million health care visits/year & nearly 1/2B dollars in health care costs.
• Keep ears dry as possible. Learn more about how to prevent swimmer’s ear: http://go.usa.gov/cuV4d

Hot tub rash

• Hot tub rash is an infection that can occur if contaminated water comes in contact with skin for a long time. http://go.usa.gov/cuV23
• Hot tub rash is caused by (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and can affect people of all ages.
• Most hot tub rashes clear up in a few days without medical treatment.
• Lower your risk of hot tub rash! Remove your swimsuit and shower with soap after getting out of the water.

• Swimmers have the power to help keep themselves and others healthy and safe in the water. http://go.usa.gov/cuV4W
• Each of us has the power to help keep our pools healthy and safe. http://go.usa.gov/cuV4W
• Remember the steps of healthy swimming: http://go.usa.gov/cuV4W
• Swimmers have the power to keep poop, germs, and pee out of the water. http://go.usa.gov/cuV4W
• Do you think that disinfectants like chlorine kill germs instantly? Think again! Disinfectants kill most germs within minutes.
• Routine pool inspections, pool staff training, and good pool maintenance help protect swimmers from germs.
• Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea.
• Shower before you get in the water.
• Don’t pee or poop in the water.
• Use test strips to check chlorine and pH levels before getting into the water. Superstores, hardware stores sell. http://go.usa.gov/cuVW3
• For pools, CDC recommends a free chlorine level of 1—3 ppm and a pH level of 7.2—7.8.
• For hot tubs/spas, CDC recommends a free chlorine level of 2—4 ppm or bromine level of 4—6 ppm and a pH level of 7.2—7.8.
• You don’t drink the water you bathe in, why would you drink the water you swim in? Don’t swallow the water!
• Don’t swallow the water.
• Every hour—everyone out! Take the kids on bathroom breaks, check diapers, reapply sunscreen, drink plenty of fluids.

Pee in the pool

• If swimmers pee in the pool, the pee mixes with the chlorine and uses it up. So there is less chlorine to kill germs.
• Have your eyes gotten red while swimming? It’s not because of the chlorine. It’s because of chlorine mixed with pee. Yuck!
• Strong chemical smell at the pool? The smell is probably chlorine mixed with pee. A healthy pool doesn’t smell.
• Keep pools and people healthy by keeping the pee out!

• Breastfeeding is one of the most important steps mothers can take to promote a baby’s well-being.
• Breastfeeding in a pool is different from poolside or other settings. Learn about health and safety risks: http://go.usa.gov/cuVZQ

Swim diapers

• Do you think swim diapers will prevent leaks into the pool? Not so fast! They don’t stop germs from getting out. http://go.usa.gov/cuVZw
• Swim diapers can delay — but not prevent — germs like Cryptosporidium (Crypto) from getting into pool water.
• All swimmers should stay out of the water when they have diarrhea, even if they are wearing swim diapers or swim pants.
• Swim diapers are not a substitute for bathroom breaks and diaper changes. Take breaks every 60 mins and check diapers every 30–60 mins.

• Every day, about 10 people in the U.S. die from drowning. 2 of the 10 are under the age of 15 years.
• In 2010, 726 kids under the age of 15 years died from drowning.
• Drowning kills more kids 1–4 years old than anything else except birth defects.
• Nearly 80% of people who die from drowning are male.
• Get the facts about drowning and water safety: http://go.usa.gov/4wgJ
• Learn to swim! Formal swimming lessons in children as young as 1 year old can reduce the risk of drowning.
• Always supervise children when they are in or around water.
• Wear a life jacket! Half of all boating deaths could be prevented with the use of life jackets.
• Don’t use air-filled or foam toys, such as “water wings” or inner-tubes, instead of a life jacket.
• A fence that completely separates the pool from house and yard can help protect young children from drowning.
• No matter how strong of a swimmer you are, don’t swim alone.

• Pools aren’t the only places we swim or play in the water! Swim healthy in splash parks, lakes, rivers, and the ocean.

Interactive Fountains (Splash Parks)

• Make a healthy splash this summer — in pools and interactive fountains. http://go.usa.gov/cuVBj
• Interactive fountains are also known as splash parks, splash pads, and spray parks. Water typically recycled and can contain germs.
• Swallowing water in interactive fountains can make you sick.
• Don’t sit on water jets in interactive fountains.
• Learn about interactive fountains: http://go.usa.gov/cuVKz
• Check out this  #infographic on interactive fountains: http://go.usa.gov/cuVBj

Beaches

• Each year, 91 million people swim at U.S. freshwater and marine beaches.
• The water at the beach looks clean, but is it? Water may contain germs you can’t see.
• Germs in water can cause minor illnesses (sore throats, diarrhea) or more serious illnesses that last longer than vacation!
• Avoid swimming for a day after heavy rain. Germs can come from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water & runoff from land.
• Don’t swim near storm drains (pipes that drain polluted water from streets) along the beach.
• Stay away from trash & oil slicks in the water. They might mean germs washed into the water, too.
• If you think your beach water has germs or pollution, contact your local health or environmental protection officials.
• Follow these steps for healthy swimming at the beach or at the pool: http://go.usa.gov/cuV4W

• Get healthy swimming info to go! Get the iPad/iPhone app: http://go.usa.gov/cuVkd
• Get FREE healthy swimming brochures: http://go.usa.gov/cuVkF
• Download healthy swimming posters: http://go.usa.gov/cuV89
• You can get FREE pool chemical safety posters: http://go.usa.gov/cuV89
• Get healthy swimming fact sheets: http://go.usa.gov/cuV8m