Some Common Hot Tub Risks and Hazards

How to be safe in the water.

Hot tubs and swim spas can provide many relaxation benefits, help relieve muscle aches and take away the stress of the day, but they also have their own cons. As a hot tub user, you may not be familiar with these hazards, but you should be aware of them. This article discusses some of the risks and dangers associated with hot tubs.

Slipping and Drowning Hazard. Soaking in a hot tub after a long and tiring day can be very relaxing, but if you are not careful enough, it can cause severe injury if you slip and fall, especially among the elderly. Make sure your hot tub has secure hand grips to allow for easy entry and exit if you are prone to injury. Drowning can also occur in a hot tub. If the temperature is not properly monitored, the water in the spa can become extremely hot, which can cause sleepiness. Once a person is asleep in a hot tub, it can easily cause accidental drowning. In fact, drowning is the most frequent cause of death when it comes to hot tubs.

Problems for Heart Patients. A raised body temperature is not healthy for patients suffering from heart problems and high blood pressure. High levels of heat can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack and in some cases even brain damage. This is due to the fact that the hot water or increased temperature causes the blood vessels to dilate. Once the blood vessels dilate, the blood pressure drops. When the patient comes out of the hot water, the blood vessels are not able to constrict fast enough, which creates a problem for those suffering from heart disease, hence leading to a drop in blood pressure, causing the person to pass out. Passing out in a hot tub can result in drowning.

Bacterial Growth. If hot tubs are not properly cleaned according to the recommendations set by the spa manufacturers, they become home to a number of bacterium and other organisms. The bacterium can not only cause skin problems, but they can also enter the lungs from the fumes and bubbles formed in the contaminated water, rising in the air and entering the lungs as you breathe. Some of the common problems caused due to a specific type of bacteria, known as Mycobacterium avium include tuberculosis, fever and chills, wet cough, tightness of the chest as well as fatigue and shortness of breath.

Risk of Miscarriage in Pregnant Women. According to several studies carried out, hot tubs and whirlpool baths can increase the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women by twofold, especially during early pregnancy. The main cause of miscarriages is febrile infections, which are a result of hyperthermia, or an elevation in the body temperature.

Alcohol, Medications and Hot Tubs. This combination can be extremely fatal as both hot water and alcohol cause the blood vessels to expand and raise the body temperature. The combination of these two things together can be too much for the body to tolerate, resulting in a stroke or heart attack. Drink in moderation while in a hot tub. Similarly, if you are taking specific prescription medicines, especially those which cause drowsiness, you should avoid drinking and bathing altogether.

Enjoying a hot tub provides many relaxation and health benefits and also eases stiff joints and tight muscles in arthritis patients, but you should be aware of some of the common hazards associated with hot tubs to avoid accidents and unnecessary problems.

Author Bio Richard Jacobs is a chief editor since early 2007, and he currently works for MyDUIattorney. A webiste that helps you to find the right DUI lawyer, you can search for a DWI Attorney In NJ or for 24 hour New Jersey DUI Lawyers online, anytime!

Out of the Ordinary

The picture at the top of this page is not an ordinary swim spa because it is circular. Most are rectangular. Learn more about the different types of swim spas at this site.

Definitions

• Endless Pool
• Swim Spa
• Exercise Pool

What's New

11 / 08 / 10

This swim spa website is a new project and a work in progress. Please keep coming back to read the new articles about the latest swim spas, advice, and swim spa health tips. We would love your feedback! Contact us with your comments and ideas.

Testimonials

"The convenience of having the ability to swim at home cannot be over-emphasized. I have swum as early as 4:30 am and as late as 1:00 in the morning — nearly around the clock."

Peter C., Palmyra, VA