Swimming in a thunderstorm with lightning present is not safe, whether you're in the ocean or a pool. A body of water is the equivalent of putting a hairdryer in a bath, and because water conducts electricity, lightning is more likely to strike water than land.
Even pools aren't safe. While you're less likely to be directly struck in a pool since there are things around you to draw the strike (especially in an indoor pool), the charge can still reach you while you're in the water. Metal elements like the pipes and plumbing can conduct electricity.
Lightning often strikes water, and water conducts electricity. That means that the currents from a lightning strike can seriously injure you. In fact, it can even kill you. This is why, when you hear thunder or see lightning, it's a good idea to avoid the pool, beach and any other large body of water.
You can get electrocuted in a swimming pool as a result of: (1) faulty electrical wiring to pool equipment such as underwater lights, pumps, filters and vacuums; (2) no GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters) protections for outlets and circuits; and (3) electrical appliances and extension cords entering the water.
Remember, hundreds of indoor pools are open every day during thunderstorms, and there's never been a documented case of death attributed to lightning. Remember, too, that people swimming indoors during a thunderstorm are as safe as they can be.
He suggests waiting at least 30 minutes to go back in the pool. "We recommend a 30-minute wait after the last flash or thunder. The two together provide the basis for the '30-30 rule'.
When lightning strikes and reaches the nervous system, it can directly damage nerve cells, cause temporary paralysis and cause arteries and vessels in the brain to burst. Electricity from lightning can also cause extreme damage to the cardiovascular system, the system that includes the heart and blood vessels.
USE SHOCK ALERT TO TEST WATER FOR VOLTAGE
Shock Alert will notify you of electricity present in water. If it beeps and flashes red, DO NOT SWIM. If it flashes green, no voltage is detected.
Going in too soon after a pool's been shocked can potentially cause skin, eye, and even lung problems. It's tough to wait to take a dip, but it's not worth messing with your health. Here's what to know before you take the plunge.
How long to wait until you can swim? The general guideline is that it's safe to swim in a pool 24 hours after shocking it. To be safe, test your chlorine and pH using a chemical test kit to see if they are in balance. Make sure your free chlorine level has returned to 3ppm or less.
Avoid contact with open waters during rainstorms to reduce your chances of encountering dangerous conditions. It's also a good idea to stay away from your pool when it's raining because your deck and other surface areas can be more slippery than usual.
Swimming in the rain isn't worth the risk of getting hurt. Stay away from the pool during rain showers, and if you must enter the area for whatever reason, bring someone along so you aren't alone around the water.
During a thunderstorm, avoid open vehicles such as convertibles, motorcycles, and golf carts. Be sure to avoid open structures such as porches, gazebos, baseball dugouts, and sports arenas. And stay away from open spaces such as golf courses, parks, playgrounds, ponds, lakes, swimming pools, and beaches.
The general lightning safety recommendations associated with all swimming pools (e.g., 30 second- 30 minute rule; avoiding plumbing or electrical circuits), are supported mainly by expert opinions which fall within scientific review Class IV – no convincing scientific evidence is available but is supported by rational ...