Alcohol And Swimming Pools Don’t Mix: Inground Swimming Pools In South Carolina By Midwest Pools USA

Pool parties are typically fun for all ages, but the United States based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that alcohol use can turn a terrific event into a tragic one. In fact, alcohol use is associated with up to 50% of all water-related adult and adolescent deaths.*


While it’s fine to serve alcohol to those over the legal age of 21 who are near your pool area, be aware that individuals who have imbibed may not be “perfectly fine” to swim, even if they say that they are or seem normal. That’s because alcohol affects individuals in many ways, including:

Balance Impairment – Persons who have drunk even a modest amount of alcohol begin to show problems with their balance. That means if they are walking around your Michigan inground swimming pool, they could easily trip and slip into the water. (And don’t assume that anyone will automatically jump in after them, especially if the party is large and it’s at night where people might not notice.)

Coordination Impairment – Men and women who have had alcohol may think that they are acting in a highly-coordinated manner, but it’s unlikely to be the case. Coordination is greatly impaired with every drink a person takes; consequently, swimming becomes difficult, if not impossible. Even a very good swimmer (when he or she is sober) may not be able to stay afloat after having too many beers.

Judgment Impairment – Alcohol impairs judgment. Thus, even a person who cannot swim may suddenly think he or she can and jump headlong into your South Carolina inground swimming pool! Others around him or her may not realize the dangers.

Drowsiness – Alcohol affects different people in different ways, and some individuals become very drowsy when they are drinking. If they are in your inground swimming pool when fatigue strikes, they might fall asleep while still in the water, which could end in disaster, especially if no one notices immediately.

Heat Stroke – The South Carolina sun may be blazing on your inground swimming pool and a dip may seem like the perfect antidote, but if you’ve been drinking, it might result in you swimming or lounging too long. Heat stroke and exposure are frequently seen in persons who have been drinking and sitting in the sun. Because they are not as aware of what’s happening around them and with their bodies, they are less likely to notice the signs of heat stroke or exhaustion.

Slow Reaction Time – Because persons who have been drinking tend to have slowed reaction times, it may be tough for them to contact emergency services if they need to do so. And even a delay of a few minutes can be costly.

So does this mean that you have to curtail all alcohol-related parties at your inground swimming pool? Of course not! However, it’s probably best to make a rule that the drinks come later in the day, rather than during the prime swimming period.

MidWest Pools USA has been providing inground swimming pool installation services to South Carolina residents for the last few years.