Although it doesn't involve human-against-human collisions, swimming can be a dangerous sport. Potential for injury arises each time swimmers jump into the pool. The concrete barrier also puts swimmers at risk, and seemingly minor injuries can increase the potential for drowning. Many sanctioning organizations enact safety rules for competitions. Alert swimmers who pay attention to their surroundings benefit immensely from these safety considerations.
Running Starts
Running starts bring about a potential for injury. A reckless swimmer's running approach to his lane puts him at greater risk of landing in another swimmer's lane and causing a collision. USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport in the U.S., states that during competition warm-ups, swimmers must enter the pool feet first to prevent the types of injuries that come from running starts or diving.
Lane Ropes
Though lane ropes can be used by officials to determine whether a swimmer has gone out of his lane, they also contribute to swimmer safety. According to rule 3.8 by the Federation Internationale de Natation, which sets rules for Olympic competition, a swimming pool used for Olympic competition must have 10 lane ropes that extend from wall to wall, and there must be only one rope dividing each lane. The ropes are to be colored so swimmers can recognize them and stay in their own lanes.
Starting Platforms
Many competitions have swimmers leap off starting platforms into the water at the start of the race. FINA rule 2.7 sets standards for starting blocks to ensure safety. The rule states that platforms must be between .5 and .75 meters above the water, and the surface area must be at least .5 by .5 meters and covered with a nonslip material to prevent swimmers from losing their footing. The maximum slope of the starting block is 10 degrees, and if the platform is more than .04 meters thick, swimmers should be able to use starting grips attached to the sides that are .01 meters thick.
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