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 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Make sure that, when diving, your child follow the following precautions:
- Never dive into above ground pools. They are too shallow.
- Don't dive from the side of an in-ground pool. Enter the water feet first.
- Dive only from the end of the diving board and not from the sides.
- Dive with your hands in front of you and always steer up immediately upon entering the water to avoid hitting the bottom or sides of the pool.
- Improper use of pool slides presents the same danger as improper diving techniques. Never slide down head first; slide down feet first only.
