Swim Goggles Too Dangerous For Kids?

I think these days people sue for injuries more than they used to. No one is owning up to their own mistakes. There is no user error and I am certain that this frightens those who are in charge of the situation. We have a local swimming pool with a diving board that can't be used because people can not dive off of it properly and it became a liability. This article really begs the question, "Who is directly to blame for this ignorance?"

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And yet, nobody stands up to these "officials" and says, "Knock it off! You're being STUPID!!! It's a stupid rule, and we will not follow it."

Instead, we sit in corners like the sheeple we are, and grumble to ourselves, all the while giving up every single freedom we have in the name of 'safety'.

Grow a set, people. If you don't like a rule, BREAK IT, and take the consequences. Stand up for yourselves and your kids.

Today, goggles... tomorrow, the WORLD!!!

(Ok, maybe that's a little melodramatic, but you get my point. And yes, the goggle thing is beyond ridiculous)

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My only problem (if you want to call it that) with goggles is that some kids seem too dependent on them. I've seen kids at swimming lessons that absolutely freak if ANY pool water gets in their eyes. I worry about what they'll do if they happen to fall into a pool without their goggles on...will they be able to save themselves, or are they going to panic because they have water in their eyes?

As far as goggles actually causing injury... ridiculous.

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Like most gear used in the pool and or for swim instruction - they can be abused and mis-used. Googles should be used by children who have become oriented to the water and can submerge and swim largely without them. Then add the goggles if desired. Goggles are an aid and reassurance to young swimmers.

Googles fall off often so kids do experience swimming without them until they can get to the side, or steps or stand and re-adjust them. There a very few learn to swim programs who, as a marketing move, try to differentiate themselves by similar "bans" on various pieces of pool gear (e.g. floaties) that are helpful when used properly.

It is a correct caution advisory - in proper methods in handling google placement - gently and with a sure grip. Yes, a zesty 4 year old boy can put on a pair of goggles and pull them 6 inches out from his face and eyes and let go - and possibly do eye damage but some parent and teacher education on properly handling would eliminate what is a rare injury. The same thing can happen with the wearing of eye glasses poking the uncareful child (or adult) in the eye as they position them on their face.

Googles do not rise to the level of a ban - but make no mistake, anyone can hurt themselves with just about anything if they haven't been warned, educated, and in the case of young children - supervised. (If you can't put your goggles on and off properly, no goggles little one).

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Wow, I am so glad there is an administrator with the good sense to keep kids safe from all sorts of potential dangers, no matter how small. Now that the goggle danger has been exposed, maybe we can address the potential harm posed by tight fitting swim caps; they may slip down over the face and cause suffocation, or wearing one too tight and developing migraines. What about that string in so many swim shorts... does choking mean anything to you? Then, there is the real danger hiding in those hard pool sides: head injury. Then there is the water; kids may drown in it. Wait a minute, without water, the danger will be eliminated. I think we've got it covered... empty the pool and let the kids walk around the pool slowly wearing only loose fitting clothes, then they will all be safe and able to just have fun.

Seriously, let us hope this is only a local UK lapse in judgment.

My son swam in competition from 5 years old through college. He always wore goggles; never an injury. In fact, I can remember no goggle related injuries to any of his team mates or competitors. Maybe there was, but I don't think so... word gets around ya know. He did fall off his bike and break is wrist... oh no... bikes!!!

DaMoKi

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BBetty,

Thanks for the reply. I don't doubt there is a problem as you stated it. Well... not exactly as you stated it. I see the problem as one of failed supervision and education.

My comment above was dealing with team swimming for the most part. It was very rare to see a team member wearing goggles except when in the water, fixing to jump in, or briefly after exiting the pool. Your comment seemed to deal with kids running around the pool and having an accident, then sucking an eyeball out of their head.

Try as we might, protecting our kids from every danger is simply not possible. Banning goggles is not the answer, anymore than banning a baseball, diving boards, the swingy part of a swing set, or even jumping rope, practicing martial arts, walking with traffic, or juggling sharp knives (OK, not that one).

Eye injuries are more the result of parents, coaches, lifeguards, and concerned citizens failing to step up and influence the dangerous behaviors in a positive and preventive manner. This will not eliminate them all, nothing will, but it will drastically reduce their occurrence.

Did your lifeguard Nephew have a whistle? After the first kid was seen running, slipping, and falling, and subsequently sucking out an eye, did he blow it the next time he saw a kid wearing goggles while running? He probably would have if he saw a kid running with scissors. Did those who were in charge of the pool post rules regarding the dangerous behavior, like they do for a cornucopia of other activities? Did parents (you know they knew the removed eye story) ban together or at least talk among themselves and support the idea of supervision or education of other parents and all children?

Apparently not! Because in your comment, there were multiple occurrences, and it is hard to imagine them happening simultaneously. The answer was simple: If your eye goggles offend you, throw them out. I reck'in that's earlier than teaching kids the rules.

Actually, I think wearing eye protection in casual swimming is mostly unnecessary, except when medical reasons demand it, but I do understand there are parents, like the ones who submerge their kids in hand sanitizer, who see it as a necessary safeguard.

Should we ban goggles? That is the wrong question. Should parents and others educate and supervise their kids? Yep.

DaMoKi

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