When are swimmers most at risk of accidents in a pool?

Swimmers are most at risk of accidents in a pool when the pool is not supervised. When there are no lifeguards or responsible adults present to monitor activities, risks increase significantly. Supervision is critical for ensuring safety, as lifeguards are trained to respond to emergencies, perform rescues, and provide first aid.

Without supervision, swimmers may engage in risky behaviors, such as rough play, diving inappropriately, or not adhering to pool rules, which can lead to accidents. In contrast, during times when lifeguards are present or swim team practices are taking place, there is typically a higher level of safety due to the structured environment and the immediate availability of trained personnel to handle potential incidents. Hence, the absence of supervision poses the greatest risk for accidents in the swimming environment.