Why is it dangerous to swim in deep water?

Question

There is a quarry near where I live. Years ago they filled in the deep holes with water and created a series of beautiful small lakes.

it's a reat naturalized area for picnics, bike riding, dog walking etc...but signs posted say "No Swmming - Deep Water"

What I don't understand is if you can swim why does it matter how deep the water is? You will still drown in 10ft of water if you run into trouble, so what does 30,40,50 foot depths matter?

Answer 1

well, its easier to find a dead body in 10 ft of water, compared to 30, 40, 50 ft.........u know, if someone drowns....

Answer 2

Why would you want to swim in them? Who knows what's living in them...

Answer 3

The lower you dive you get more pressure on your lungs.

Answer 4

Water-filled quarries are deceptive and EXTREMELY  dangerous. They don't start shallow and gradually go deeper, like most swimming pools do. They suddenly drop off immediately at the very edges, for 30, 40, sometimes hundreds of feet.  With a 10 foot depth you could at least sink to the bottom and then propel yourself upward off the bottom again.  Quarries also aren't built for swimming - They have jagged underwater ledges and slippery sides with absolutely no grip that can trap people in them, and they can be extremely cold, which causes even experienced swimmers to tire quickly.  Not only that, they can have old machinery or pollution that's also dangerous to swimmers.  Despite warnings about quarries and numerous signs posted around them, dozens of people drown in water filled quarries each year.

If you feel a need to go swimming, there are plenty of places with safe swimming pools, or natural lakes that are lifeguarded.  Don't risk your life because the beautiful lakes look nice to swim in.

Answer 5

Well in 10 feet of water you can rest at the bottom and hold your breath and kick your self to the top.In 30 40 50 its to far down and then to far up.

Answer 6

Often in filled in quarries they leave equipment in the holes, you can get caught in them and not be able to go to the surface. Also the water can be very murky because of the rock particles making the water "dusty". Also if you miss gage the distance it's longer to get to the top when you're out of breath. Because of the murky water you can get lost and not know if you're three feet under of fifteen feet under. Maybe it was easier for the signs to say "deep water" then "dangerously murky off limits water"

Answer 7

perhaps they meant there's no grade to it, just a drop and you might struggle to get out again

Answer 8

Do the have lifeguards??? Maybe they don't have the staff to watch everyone.

Answer 9

Pick Laelia's.  LOL