Resources

Articles, press releases, and other news about swimming.

Below you will find a variety of resources to help you learn more about recreational water illness (RWI), healthy swimming, pool chemical safety, and other water-related disease prevention topics.

• Brochures Printable brochures for distribution to swimmers and the general public to educate them on healthy swimming and recreational water illnesses.
• Fact Sheets Printable fact sheets on important recreational water-related topics.
• Podcasts Audio podcasts about recreational water illnesses, healthy swimming, and water-related disease prevention.
• Posters Printable posters about healthy swimming behaviors, pool chemical safety, and hygiene topics for for distribution or public display at pools.
• Videos/TV Videos and television segments on healthy swimming and recreational water topics.

The FAQ answers swimmers' and aquatics staff's most frequently asked questions about recreational water topics.

• Frequently Asked Questions on Recreational Water Topics

• RWI Prevention Week

• Six Steps for Healthy Swimming Fact Sheet Six steps for protecting swimmers against recreational water illnesses (RWIs).
• Triple A’s of Healthy Swimming Information to help activist swimmers take the lead in preventing RWIs at their swimming facility.
• Pool User Tips Fact Sheet [PDF - 275 kb] Look; ask; act; practice...tips for preventing RWIs this summer when using the pool.
• Hot Tub User Tips Fact Sheet [PDF - 376 kb] Heed; observe; talk...tips for preventing RWIs when using the hot tub or spa.
• Pool and Spa (Hot Tub) Test Strips Home Test Instructions Instructions for using pool and hot tub/spa test strips at home.
• Inflatable and Plastic Pools (Kiddie Pools)
• Swim Diapers and Swim Pants
• Water Play Areas and Interactive Fountains
• Diarrhea and Swimming
• Pinworm and Swimming

• Crypto Alert: Aquatics Staff [PDF - 65 kb]
• Twelve (12) Steps for Prevention of Recreational Water Illnesses
• Prevention Commentaries
• Your Disinfection Team: Chlorine and pH Fact Sheet
• Design and Operation of Pools and Hot Tubs
• Disinfection and Remediation of Pools and Hot Tubs
• Pool Operator Training
• Publications, Data and Statistics

• Crypto Alert: Health Professionals [PDF - 71 kb]
• RWI Prevention and Response Tools for Public Health Professionals [formerly RWI Health Promotion Toolkit]
• Press Releases
• Prevention Commentaries
• Outbreak Response Toolkits
• Design and Operation of Pools and Hot Tubs
• Disinfection and Remediation of Pools and Hot Tubs
• Model Aquatic Health Code
• Pool-Spa Inspector Training
• Publications, Data & Statistics

These articles were written to inform pediatricians about recreational water illnesses (RWIs). They also advise healthcare professionals to instruct parents to keep their children out of recreational water while they are ill with diarrhea.

• Talk to Patients About Recreational Water Health Risks Medscape: CDC Expert Commentary (provided with permission by Medscape)
• Recreational Water Illness: What Every Clinician Needs to Know Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Podcast (Continuing Education Credits Available)
• Swimmer's Ear a Mild but Burdensome Illness (provided with permission by the American Academy of Pediatrics)
• CDC Dives into Swimmer's Ear Prevention (provided with permission by the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery)
• Safe Swimming: Talk to Parents about Preventing Recreational Water Illnesses [PDF - 152 kb] (reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Pediatrics)
• Prevention of Recreational Water Illnesses (in Children) [PDF - 534 kb] (reprinted with permission from SLACK Incorporated)
• Hydrotherapy Tank and Pool Operation in Healthcare Facilities

Additional reference:

• Castor ML, Beach MJ. (2004). Reducing illness transmission from disinfected recreational water venues: Swimming, diarrhea, and the emergence of a new public health concern. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 23:866-870.

• Certification, Training, & Education for Professionals

Links to healthy swimming and recreational water information for state and local health departments within the United States.

• State Healthy Swimming Information