Are Swim Diapers Effective in Keeping Contamination Out of Public Pools?

Ever wonder exactly what the point of a swim diaper really is? I mean if a child has an accident in the swim diaper doesn’t the pool water run through the diaper anyway? With small kids I honestly will admit I have wondered what exactly a plastic diaper actually accomplishes other than keeping solid fecal material out of the pool. Swim diapers are actually commonly referred to as “Fecal Tea Bags."

Did you know the CDC (Center for Disease Control) adopted a “Vessel Sanitation Program” which prohibits children in diapers that are not toilet trained from using public pools on cruise ships? The CDC determined that swim diapers are not effective in preventing contamination of public swimming water with infection-causing germs. Swim diapers may prevent solid waste from escaping; however they do not prevent leakage of urine or diarrhea.  

The CDC recommends that parents keep swimmers out of the water if they suspect diarrhea to avoid contamination. Swimmers who are sick with diarrhea or who have been sick in the last two weeks risk contaminating swimming water with germs. Even in a well-maintained pool these germs may live for minutes or days in the water.

So Patch readers, the question for you is this, should children who are not potty trained be required to wear swim diapers? What rules and regulations are in effect at your pool regarding this issue? Do you avoid pools for any germ related reasons? Tell us in the comment section below!