Family and pool

Oand swimming pools they are a pole of attraction for children, as they combine coolness with team play and sports. Family and pool

H pool is one excellent space for full body exercise. Tthe child, when in the water, does not need to rest on his legs or back to do an exercise.

Athus avoiding injuries and injuries to the musculoskeletal system and joints, which are often observed when children "jump" on the ground while playing ball or doing gymnastics. Tswimming is therefore considered one of the most ideal sports for the smooth physical development of the child. But, despite its advantages, it also hides dangers.

Therefore, before enrolling your child in a private or public swimming pool, it is advisable to first inform yourself about the hygiene and safety rules that are observed in these areas and about the necessary actions that you as a parent must take in order to avoid unwanted ... adventures.

TAre exams required?

Before taking your child to the pool, the first thing you should do is make sure they have a medical check-up. Esee a pediatrician who will take a detailed medical history and ask for a family medical history at the same time to see if any family members have a health problem that the child may have inherited that is not known.

•Aas soon as the swimming pools have in their hands the results of this clinical examination and medical history, they are legally protected, because it has been determined internationally that the above tests are capable of protecting a child against 85% from possible health problems that may manifest themselves against during its exercise.

TBut what about the rest of the 15%? Mcan a parent be complacent? To rule out these possibilities as well, take your child to a cardiologist for an electrocardiogram as well as an ultrasound of the heart.

Family and pool

Tthe electrocardiogram and the clinical check must be repeated once a year, while the ultrasound is only done at the beginning, that is, when the child begins systematic swimming lessons, to rule out various hereditary diseases that may cause some fainting, which in the pool may be fatal.

•AIf everything is fine, the child can start swimming in the pool. ANow there is a health problem, in most cases at least, swimming is not forbidden, just - depending on the case - the doctor will give the directions on what kind of exercise to follow.

In this case, the coach should be informed, so that he pays particular attention to the child who is facing a health problem. Tswimming is also recommended as a form of exercise for children who have asthma.

What is the right age to start swimming?

OMost pools accept children from 4 years of age and older, so that they are out of diapers, able to understand the instructions given by their instructor, and to some extent can protect themselves from the possibility of drowning. Family and pool

Athis of course does not mean that children of this age can stay alone in the pool. They must always be under the supervision of their coach. Teach section usually has 17 to 18 children, supervised by two teachers and two lifeguards. Ta children of 4 to 5 years old bathe in a small pool, where they step. Afrom 5 onwards they enter the large pool. Ythere are, however, some swimming pools that have sections for toddlers from 2 to 3 years old included in their program.

At this age, children may not be able to learn push-ups and backstroke, but they are familiar with the water and enjoy the benefits of exercise. For each toddler there is a teacher, who is also in the pool helping him. Ait is essential that infants wear a life jacket.

Tthe water in the toddler pool should be warmer (31-32 degrees KCelsius) than the others (28-29 degrees Kcelsius) and the children's stay in it should not exceed 20 minutes, because then they start to get cold.

How much time before the bath to eat?

Tthe child must not have eaten at least two to three hours before coming to the swimming pool. KThis is because, when there is a gastric load, that is, when the stomach is full, pressure is created on the diaphragm and breathing does not work properly. Ttherefore, the child finds it particularly difficult to move in the water.

O but the greater danger is that with vigorous movements, the contents of the stomach may regurgitate upwards and cause the child to suffocate. Aon the other hand, it is not right for the child to go to the pool completely fasting, because he may feel exhausted and pass out. Khello is to drink a milk, a juice, eat two fruits or a light snack an hour and a half before, but never a main meal.

How many times a week and how long to swim?

Tthe child cannot go to the pool once or twice a month, because water sports are something outside the environment where we live, and when there is such a long time between exercises, the child loses his form. So, every time he has to swim in the pool it seems so difficult, as if he is swimming for the first time.

However, it is not possible for children, with their busy schedule (school, tutoring), to go to the swimming pool every day, so three times a week is considered a good frequency. Regarding the time spent in the water, in most swimming pools there is an order that no exercise is allowed for more than an hour and a quarter, and this is because with the long-hour swimming the body loses a lot of fluids, the child becomes thirsty and there is a risk of dehydration. (T(a majority of swimming lessons last 45 minutes.)

Tcan the chlorine in the pool damage it?

H the amount of chlorine they throw into the pool is not capable of irritating the children's skin, nor harming their health in general – on the contrary, it protects it from germs. Tall that can be observed is a slight drying of the skin, which is treated with some moisturizer.

Tchlorine is necessary because it kills every micro-organism, so children are not at risk of contracting any communicable skin disease. Kringworm is not spread in pool water. Athis can only happen outside the pool, in the changing rooms, where children come into contact by hugging each other or changing bathrobes and slippers.

Kflat or open pool?

Oopen pools are considered healthier than closed ones, because the child is constantly in contact with fresh air, while - on the contrary - in closed ones, the water vapor of the pool and the large crowding of young and old favors the transmission of viruses. Many parents, of course, do not prefer open pools, fearing that their child will catch a cold.

However, experts argue that, when the child comes out of the pool, his body's defenses are so strong that he is not in danger of catching a cold at that moment, as long as he immediately puts on his bathrobe and rushes to the changing room. A child can catch a cold when they get out of the shower, where their body starts to relax, so they should be properly dressed when leaving the changing room.

Family and pool

Min other words, if the weather is cold, he must have wiped his ears well to avoid ear infections, wear warm clothes and don't forget to put on his cap. (OThe indoor pools operate all year round, while the outdoor ones usually open on Meven and close at the end OOctober.)