Comments on: How to Practice Etiquette at Public Pools

on 9/2/2008 i dont swim in your toilet, so go ahead and pee in pool!! i messed that up somewhere

on 8/8/2006 Parents, lifeguards are not babysitters. When we have 500 other persons in our areas, it is difficult to see every person. Also, if a lifeguard asks you not to do something, please listen. Again, parents, watch your children. Parents who do not watch their children give lifeguards a heart attack. When we enforce a rule, please understand that we didn't make the rule, we are just there to enforce it. We get yelled at by angry patrons about 10 times a day, so think about if you were in our shoes before you yell at a lifeguard.

on 8/8/2006 Keep your pets out of the swimming pool! Yes, it has been done and it's a very good way to make neighbors mad at you.

on 1/25/2006 Another option (rather than circle swimming) is if you are in a lane with only one other person, split the lane down the middle so one person is on the left and the other is on the right. This way if you are going at different speeds you won't interfere with each other. Obviously this only works for two people sharing a lane.

on 11/22/2005 Water Wings are not good for kids. They restrict arm movement and doesnt teach them proper technique for swimming. Float belts or lifejackets are better options.

on 11/22/2005 If you're on a swim team you shouldn't change into your clothes in a bathroom stall. This prevents other swimmers from using it.

on 11/22/2005 Please decide what you're going to purchase before it's your turn in line for the vending machine or concession stand. There is nothing more annoying than standing behind someone on a scorching hot day who must ask the person behind the counter to read off everything on the menu, and then hollers for his wife so he knows what the kids want, and then realizes that he doesn't have enough cash on him to pay for it. This is why they post the menu, so you can read it! Figure out what you are going to buy, and make sure you have enough money before you get in line!!

on 11/22/2005 Don't jump in the pool, or push off on a backstroke length, without making very sure you're not going to crash into someone (or just scare the living daylights out of them!)

on 11/22/2005 When pools provide toys for public use, they are for public use. If you're playing water volleyball, and someone asks for the ball, you're under no obligation to give it to them. However, you must offer to have that person play with you, or else you can get the evil eye from the lifeguard. If other people are courteous, they will do the same for you. Some people will be totally ignorant to this system, they will tell you that if you don?t give them the ball you are not?t sharing, and they?ll tell on you. Don?t back down, as long as you have offered to let them play, you can?t get in trouble with the lifeguards. It?s a good idea to follow the whiner to the lifeguard, that way you make sure they tell the truth. Some people will leave out the fact that you've offered to let them play. They?ll say that you simply said, no. It's a good idea to get to know the lifeguards at the pool by name, too. If you need assistance you'll get more attention if you call a lifeguard by name.

on 11/22/2005 Do not, I repeat, do NOT stare at women.

on 11/22/2005 If your pool provides toys to play with in the water such as little plastic floaty balls, diving rings (those rings that sink slowly and you dive down to get them), watering cans, noodles, etc., do not hog them (and discourage your kids from hogging them). I'm a kid, and I personally think that the parents are being rude and irresponsible if their children are taking all the toys.

on 11/22/2005 Parents of little ones: please do not assume they will be able to swim by themselves while just holding onto a "noodle." They can very easily let go and slip under the water in seconds. Water wings/floaties or life jackets are a better idea.

on 11/22/2005 Refrain from yelling and high-pitched screams. Steer clear from words like HELP! unless you really need emergency help. Follow commands given by the lifeguard the first time they are given. Make the job of a lifeguard a little easier!

on 11/22/2005 Swim counter-clockwise so you don't crash into people. If someone taps your foot from behind, let them pass you.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure the other swimmers already in the lane know you are getting in. Swimmers need to know who else is swimming with them so they can time their turns and swims. Also, it's a matter of safety.