Swim Diapers and Swim Pants
The use of swim diapers and swim pants may give many parents and pool staff a false sense of security regarding fecal contamination.
Little scientific information exists on how well they are able to keep feces or infection-causing germs from leaking into the pool. Even though diapers or swim pants may hold in some feces, they are not leak proof and can still contaminate the pool water. It is unlikely that swim diapers are able to keep diarrheal stools, the high risk event, from leaking into the pool and no manufacturers claim these products prevent leakage of diarrhea into pools.
Be aware that swim diapers and swim pants are not a solution for a child with diarrhea or a substitute for frequent diaper changing. It is recommended that you change your child often and make frequent trips to the toilet while swimming.
Pool operators should try and make sure that parents:
- Understand the importance of NOT swimming when ill with diarrhea.
- Plan regular diaper changing and frequent (approximately every 30 to 60 minutes) trips to the toilet that will further reduce the chance of fecal contamination. This can also reduce the amount of urine in the pool that is binding with disinfectant and creating irritating by-products (see Irritants in Pools).
Page last modified: April 17, 2007