Diving in residential pools is not a smart idea, and many areas have banned the use or sale of diving boards for private pools. The reasons: backyard pools are smaller and not as deep, so they don't give the diver enough room in front and on the sides to land safely in the water without hitting the board, pool edge or bottom. Diving injuries can result in quadriplegia, paralysis below the neck, to divers who hit the bottom or side of a swimming pool, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Divers should observe the following precautions:
Never Dive Into Above-Ground Pools
Above-ground swimming pools are too shallow for safe diving, regardless of how experienced the diver might be.Don't Dive From the Side of an Inground Swimming Pool
Enter the water feet first, which would be jumping, not diving.Dive Only From the End of the Diving Board
Don't dive from the sides.Dive With Your Hands in Front of You
Always steer up immediately upon entering the water to avoid hitting the bottom or sides of the swimming pool.Don't Dive if You Have Been Using Drugs or Alcohol
Drinking alcohol or using drugs prior to or while diving could impair your reaction time, which may be too slow.Never Dive Head-First Down a Slide
Improper use of swimming pool slides can present the same danger as improper diving techniques. Never slide down head-first -- go down feet-first only.
