Mystery Ailment Sends Four Synchronized Swimmers to Hospital

Who knew synchronized swimming could be so dangerous? Four local synchronized swimmers were rushed to the hospital on Monday, after loosing consciousness and suffering respiratory distress at a Kenmore pool. Three of the girls, ages 12 to 14, had to be resuscitated on the pool deck. To add to what must have already been an incredibly chaotic scene, two parents who witnessed the event were also taken to the hospital after going into shock.

The girls are members of the Seattle Synchronized Swim Team, and were practicing holding their breath under water when they suffered distress. Two of the girls sunk to the bottom of the pool unconscious before they were rescued by their fully clothed coach. All four girls were released from area hospitals by Tuesday evening. While early speculation blamed chlorine levels for the respiratory problems, health officials who tested air and water quality at the pool on Tuesday found no problems. Despite the cause of the incident still being a mystery, Carole Ann Wald Memorial Pool, where the accident happened, is open to the public.

Photo courtesy of guidofoc member of the truly amazing "BEHOLD! Synchronized Swimming" Flickr Group

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By Abbey in News on April 23, 2008 8:38 AM

Comments [rss]

Troy Morris

And it's Jack who solved the case!

Jack

I peed in the pool. Sorry.

Abbey

and I was thinking he'd use jesus--just turn that water into wine. Dr. House however, is a fabulous choice.

Kim Ruehl

troy--for some reason i thought you were going to suggest scooby doo and the gang.

buddhabrad

Pools have automatic systems to feed chlorine and other chemicals into the pool. It's possible/likely that the system malfunctioned, allowing different chemicals to enter the pool at the same time at concentrated levels, causing a reaction.

The reaction would create an invisible cloud of gas along the surface, as the chemicals reacted with the air. Since the swimmers were at surface level AND taking deep breaths, they were at higher risk.

Of course, as with all reactions (think TNT) the danger is DURING the event. If officials tested the area even 15 mins after the reaction, they would find no evidence of a problem. (Sunken swimmers notwithstanding.)

Troy Morris

Oh bother.

Below that was supposed to be a picture of House.

Troy Morris

The water was tested as normal.

I know who can solve this malady.

Kim Ruehl

well, herbisara, there's also the fact that one of the parents blacked out after bending over the pool. how much chlorine would have to be shoveled into a pool to make that happen?