Don't slam your pole on the ground

Working as a pool technician might seem like a straightforward job, but beneath the surface lies a profession fraught with unique health and safety challenges. From the constant threat of dehydration under scorching sun to the very real danger of drowning if you lose consciousness near water, pool professionals face risks that many other trades simply don't encounter. In this eye-opening episode of Talking Pools Podcast, Sarah delivers a sobering reminder that your body is literally your livelihood in this industry—and protecting it should be your top priority.

The Hidden Dangers Pool Technicians Face Every Day

Pool maintenance isn't just about balancing chemicals and skimming leaves. It's a physically demanding job that puts your body at risk in ways you might not immediately consider. The dangers range from the obvious to the unexpected, and all of them can have serious consequences for your health and your ability to earn a living.

Some of the risks that we will face as full-time is going to be things like overheating, dehydration, low blood sugar, if you don't eat enough food right. Like, if you pass out near water, anytime you go unconscious near water, that's a really bad thing, drowning. You don't want to do that.

— Sarah, Talking Pools Podcast

The podcast shares a particularly chilling story that serves as a wake-up call for the entire industry. Sarah recounts the tragic death of a pool technician who suffered a seizure while cleaning a pool. The man fell in and drowned—a preventable tragedy that highlights why health screening and awareness are so crucial in this field.

Beyond the life-threatening risks, pool technicians also face daily hazards like cuts requiring stitches, trips over plumbing that can result in broken bones, and chronic issues like back injuries that can end careers. These aren't rare occurrences—they're occupational hazards that every pool professional needs to prepare for and actively work to prevent.

Your Body Is Your Business: The Economics of Health

Unlike office workers who might be able to work from home with a minor injury, pool technicians don't have that luxury. When you're hurt, you're not earning—it's that simple. This reality makes health and safety not just personal concerns, but business imperatives.

If you go down, you know, how are you going to pay your bills? Because your body is literally the tool that you use to do your job. So, that's why it's kind of important to make sure that you're being paid properly, being paid enough for the risk that you're putting on your body.

— Sarah, Talking Pools Podcast

The podcast references Rudy's experience with a back injury that prevented him from servicing pools, illustrating how quickly a physical job can become impossible when your body isn't functioning properly. This isn't about being dramatic—it's about being realistic about the physical demands of the job and the financial implications of not taking care of yourself.

Pool technicians need to think of themselves as athletes. You're lifting, bending, walking, and working in challenging conditions all day long. Just as athletes invest in their physical conditioning and recovery, pool professionals need to invest in their health and safety to maintain their earning potential.

Hydration and Nutrition: Your First Line of Defense

Staying properly hydrated and nourished isn't just about feeling good—it's about staying safe. When you're working in the heat all day, your body's needs go far beyond what the average person requires, and meeting those needs requires intentional planning and effort.

Sarah shares some practical hydration strategies that go beyond just drinking water:

• Start your day with iodized salt—even something as simple as licking a small amount from the back of your hand can help your muscles absorb water more effectively
• Use electrolyte supplements like Liquid IV, available at stores like Costco
• Add iodized Himalayan salt directly to your water bottle
• Keep a cooler stocked with drinks like Gatorade, Body Armor, or Pedialyte

What salt does for you, and make sure it's iodized, the salt goes into your muscles and it actually helps you to absorb the water that you're drinking. So if there's not enough salt in your body, not enough salt in your muscles, the water that you're drinking is kind of just passing through.

— Sarah, Talking Pools Podcast

When it comes to food, the message is clear: eat like an athlete. High-protein foods, plenty of fiber, and nutrient-dense options will fuel your body for the physical demands of the job. The podcast emphasizes bringing snacks—lots of them—and not hesitating to stop and eat when you need to. Pickles get a special mention for their salt content, which can help with hydration.

The episode includes a cautionary tale about a technician who attempted a three-day fast while maintaining a full route schedule. The result? He got seriously ill and felt the effects for an entire week. The lesson is simple: you can't run on empty and expect your body to perform.

Equipment and Safety Gear: Protecting Your Investment

Your body isn't the only thing that needs protection—your equipment does too, and choosing the right gear can prevent injuries and keep you working efficiently. The podcast dives into some specific recommendations based on real-world experience.

Footwear is crucial. While Crocs might seem like the obvious choice for pool work (they're waterproof and easy to rinse), Sarah explains why she's moved away from them:

• Limited traction, especially when wet
• Ankle rolling risks on uneven surfaces like rock features
• Vulnerability to punctures from hidden hazards like nails

Instead, closed-toe, lace-up shoes provide better protection and stability for navigating the varied terrain pool technicians encounter daily.

Eye protection is another non-negotiable. Polarized sunglasses aren't just about looking cool—they're about preserving your vision for the long term. When you're staring into reflected sunlight off water surfaces all day, your eyes take a beating that can have lasting consequences.

The Critical Importance of Pre-Employment Health Screening

One of the most sobering parts of the episode deals with the importance of health screening for pool technicians. While employers can't conduct extensive medical examinations, Sarah argues that for safety reasons, it's crucial to ensure that employees don't have conditions like epilepsy that could be life-threatening near water.

I did, unfortunately, hear a very sad story about a person who he had hired a pool tech. Guy was cleaning. He happened to have a seizure next to the pool while he was cleaning it. He fell in... This man did not survive. I will never forget the chills that went down my spine when the owner of the company said that he would never forget pulling the man's sunglasses out of the deep end.

— Sarah, Talking Pools Podcast

This tragic story underscores why the pool industry needs to take health and safety screening seriously. It's not about discrimination—it's about ensuring that people can work safely in an environment where losing consciousness can be fatal.

Building a Safety-First Culture

Creating a safe work environment goes beyond individual responsibility. Pool service companies need to establish policies and cultures that prioritize safety over speed or cost-cutting. This includes:

• Providing proper safety equipment and requiring its use
• Setting realistic route schedules that allow for breaks and proper hydration
• Training employees on health and safety risks specific to pool maintenance
• Having emergency procedures in place
• Regular check-ins with technicians working alone

The episode emphasizes that taking care of yourself isn't just personal responsibility—it's professional responsibility. When you're injured or unable to work, it affects your clients, your coworkers, and your employer. Building safety habits benefits everyone.

Sarah's advice extends to seemingly small details that can have big consequences. She shares a story about a technician who dropped his lunch into a truck bed that had shock granules and still ate the contaminated food. The message is clear: pool chemicals are designed to kill living organisms, and they have no place in your diet, even in trace amounts.

Conclusion: Your Health Is Your Career

The pool service industry is physically demanding, potentially dangerous, and unforgiving to those who don't take health and safety seriously. But with the right approach to self-care, proper equipment, and safety awareness, it can be a rewarding long-term career.

The key takeaways from this episode are straightforward but critical: treat your body like the business asset it is, stay hydrated and well-nourished, invest in proper safety equipment, and never underestimate the risks inherent in working around water. Your health isn't just about feeling good today—it's about ensuring you can continue working and earning for years to come.

Remember, in the pool service industry, your body is literally your livelihood. Protecting it isn't optional—it's essential for your safety, your income, and your future in the trade. Take the advice seriously, implement these safety practices consistently, and make health and safety a non-negotiable part of your professional routine.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction - Taking Care of Yourself and Equipment
• 02:30 Health Risks Pool Technicians Face
• 05:45 The Tragic Reality of Water Safety
• 08:20 Hydration and Nutrition Strategies
• 12:10 Equipment and Footwear Recommendations
• 15:30 The Importance of Health Screening
• 18:00 Building Safety-First Work Habits