Bruises, Cuts, and a Blood Clot. Can she swim???

Question

My cousin was on her scooter and she flipped over and got lots of cuts and bruises (even 1 blood clot!!). She has a cut on her knee, on her elbow, on two fingers, and on the left side of her stomach. Her blood clot is sticking out on her stomach as well. Anyway, I am with her and my other cousins for a visit and we wanted to swim. Everyone except for her could swim but we weren't that sure if she could swim or not. Do you think she could swim, or she has too many injuries. Any tips??

Thanks!

Answer 1

i think that she could swim that probably isn't a blood clot it is probably a scab

Answer 2

Hello,

I think there are several issues here.

First, would it start the bleeding again if she swum?  Probably not, if it has been treated well by the medics.

2nd, would blood float away and contaminate the water for everybody else?  Yes, probably it would, from what you say.  I doubt that the Pool attendants would be too happy.  Also, if she banged herself on the Pool-side, that might start a wound bleeding again.

3rd, could the pool water contain any germs which could cause her wounds to become infected?  Probably not, because Pool water is purified with Chlorine, that's why it smells a bit.

4th, would swishing her wounds with water help clean them? Probably yes it would.

5th, would the wounds cause the act of swimming to be painful, so she didn't enjoy it at all?  I don't know, you'd have to ask her.

6th, would she have to wear wound dressings in the pool?  Probably not, I don't know really.

I hope this is of some help.  The most important thing seems to me to be, to get the pool attendants' permission.

Best wishes,

Belliger  (retired uk gp)