If your kid threw up in the pool, don’t panic! You should be okay as long as you take some basic precautions.
At some point, someone is going to throw up or have an accident in the pool. What do you do then?
It’s typical for kids to vomit in the swimming pool. There is a lot of eating and swimming during summer break, and children are one group that greatly enjoys this time. Sometimes this mix can cause some unintended consequences (or someone may swallow just a little too much pool water).
One common problem is throwing up in the pool. Well, if your kid has been experiencing this and you are wondering what happens if your kid throws up in the pool, then keep reading!
Vomit In The Pool
Vomiting is frequently caused by swallowing pool water or over-exertion and is more common in children than adults.
Because it can spread bacteria and make people sick, it’s important to take precautions.
Say, for instance, your kid together with his friends were swimming in the pool and he started to feel sick, and then he threw up in the pool. Here is what you should do;
What Happens If My Kid Throws Up In The Pool?
The pool water will likely become cloudy contaminated water if your kid throws up in it. This is because the stomach contents mix with the pool water. If the vomit is from swallowing pool water, It’s not usually harmful to swim in this water (The CDC states that it is unlikely to spread illness), but it can be unpleasant. If the vomit is more than pool water (food that was eaten), then it should be cleaned up right away.
If Someone Vomits In The Pool, The Pool Should Be Cleared and Cleaned
The pool needs to be cleared of swimmers for a little while so that the chlorine can kill the germs. This will take some time, depending on how much vomit or blood is in the pool.
Remove all floating debris and fluid from the water and, if necessary/optional, use a pool vacuum to clean the bottom of the pool (clean out and disinfect the vacuum filters after usage). Then you will want to use unstabilized chlorine to raise the water’s free chlorine concentration to 2 parts per million (CDC source). You will want to maintain a this level of chlorine and a pH of 7.5 for about 25-30 mins. If the readings are within normal range after 30 mins, as per the water test instructions, then it will be safe to use.
The good news is that chlorine destroys the majority of germs causing illness within a few minutes. However, chlorine does not kill germs instantly. It can take time for the chlorine to kill all the germs. Some germs, like Cryptosporidium, can live in treated water for a few days. This means that even well-maintained aquatic venues can spread germs.
If you are concerned, you can always contact your local pool company and ask for their opinion or for them to come out and make sure your pool water is balanced and clean.
Blood In The Pool
A bloody nose, a cut, or when it’s that time of the month for most women can all be causes of blood in a pool. While blood can carry disease, the CDC is unaware of an instances where a person has become infected with bloodborne germs after being exposed to blood in a pool (CDC source). The chlorine in the water will kill the germs found in blood (like hepatitis B and even HIV).
While it is technically safe to swim with blood in a pool, it can be unpleasant.
We would recommend having everyone clear the pool. The blood should be quickly dispersed.
Then we recommend testing the chlorine and pH values to make sure they are in the recommended ranges. If they are in recommended ranges then people may continue swimming.
What About Cleaning Pool Surfaces?
If blood or vomit gets on the pool surface, we (and the CDC) recommend that you:
1 – Using safety precautions (shoes, disposable gloves, etc…) clean up the blood or vomit with papertowels.
2 – Disinfect the surface with bleach. Use a combination of 9 parts cool water to 1 part household bleach. And then simply pour the bleach over the contaminated surface.
3 – Let the bleach site for 20 minutes.
4 – Wipe up the bleach solution with paper towels.
5 – Disinfect the non-disposable clean materials with bleach (if any)
If you have questions of if you are looking for a pool cleaning service, give us a call at 707-536-1280 and ask about our pool cleaning services. We service Santa Rosa and surrounding areas and can help get your pool water crystal clear!