Last Updated on October 21, 2021
Swimming in a recently shocked pool can be dangerous. How dangerous it can be is determined by the type of pool shock chemicals you use and how much you use.
The level of danger is also based on how long you wait before entering the pool after treatment.
There are a few standard pool shock chemical products that residential and commercial pools use. In this article, we discuss the different types of pool shock chemicals, the warnings that come with each, and how dangerous it can be to swim in a recently shocked pool.
What is pool shock?
Pool shock is a mixture of chemicals that are added to the pool water to kill algae and bacteria. There are different types of pool shock chemical compounds that are used for different circumstances, and some are more dangerous than others. You should take caution when using any pool shock and read the warnings on every pool shock treatment package before using it.
Pool shock treatments are necessary to keep swimming pools safe from algae and bacteria. However, you also need to make sure you wait for the determined amount of time before entering your pool after shocking it. Otherwise, it can present even greater health dangers. Let’s discuss the common warnings and risks of chemical shock treatments that all pool owners should know about.
Common dangers presented in chemical shock treatments:
- Common miscellaneous risks: Contamination or improper use may cause fire, explosion, or the release of toxic gases. The treatment used in shocking pool is highly corrosive. Will cause skin and eye damage. May be fatal if swallowed.
- If this treatment gets in your eyes: Hold eye open and rinse slowly and gently with water for 15-20 minutes. Call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice.
- If this treatment gets on your clothing: Take off contaminated clothing. Rinse skin immediately with plenty of water for 15-20 minutes. Call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice.
- If this treatment is swallowed: Call a poison control center or doctor immediately for treatment advice. Have a person sip a glass of water if able to swallow. Do not induce vomiting unless told to do so by a poison control center or doctor. Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
- If this treatment is inhaled: Move the person to fresh air. If the person is not breathing, call 911 or an ambulance, then give artificial respiration, preferably mouth-to-mouth if possible. Call a poison control center or doctor for further treatment advice.
You must be careful when handling pool shock treatments. What is a regular occurrence in pool maintenance and safety can be a dangerous experience if not handled properly. Never touch the chemical substance without gloves. For protection, consider wearing safety glasses or goggles.
How To Properly Store Pool Chemicals
Besides the dangers with the handling of chemicals, consider what would happen if you entered a pool that was just shocked. If you don’t wait for the chemicals to dissolve, settle, and work properly, you could experience the same dangerous effects by swimming in a recently shocked pool.
How long do you wait to swim after shocking the pool?
How long you wait depends on the type of chemical that is used, how much of it is used in relation to the size of your pool, and if your pool pump is turned on or not. The best way to know precisely when it is safe to enter the pool again is by using test strips that measure the chemicals.
Most Common Pool Shock Substances
The following sections will discuss the chemicals involved in the most common pool shock substances and the general time it takes for each to work.
Cal-Hypo Pool Shock
- MULTI-PURPOSE - This swimming pool shock works as a strong sanitizer, clarifier, and algicide for clear blue water.
- EXTRA POWER - Due to its high percentage of chlorine, Mega Shock is a very effective treatment for a quick chlorine boost. The Rx Clear Mega shock packets are chlorinating essentials.
- MIX BEFORE YOU FIX - Add this granular powder to a bucket of water before you begin dissolving it in your pool. Add a 1 lb bag per 10,000 gallons of pool water for smart maintenance.
- BEAT THE GREEN - Keep in your swimming pool algae free by adding 2 bags (2 lbs) of shock per 14,000 gallons of pool water. These granules work as an algaecide if your pool needs cleaning, or if you're...
Calcium Hypochlorite (abbreviated “Cal-Hypo”) is the most common chemical pool shock used to disinfect both residential and commercial swimming pools. This shock treatment kills algae and bacteria that begin to grow in your pool. Most cal-hypo pool treatments contain 65% or more chlorine.
Some brands instruct users to dissolve the substance before adding it to their pool while others explicitly state not to. It is best to follow the instructions on the label of the pool shock treatment you are using.
This shock treatment must be used after dusk. The problem with using it during the day is due to the sun. The heat from the sun will burn the chemical substance before it can do its job. Although this will show lower chemical levels faster, it won’t be because of the chemicals doing their job to kill bacteria and algae. Instead, it will be because the sun burned it.
Each pool shock substance has its own time estimation for safety. It’s always best to use a test strip to ensure the pool’s chlorine level is safe before entering. The average time before safely entering the pool is 8 hours. Shocking your pool before bed will commonly allow you to safely swim again the next morning.
Dichlor
- Calcium-Free Chlorine Shock for Pools: Leaves behind no residue/clouds in your swimming pool; great for salt- and liquid-chlorine-based pools
- Fast-Acting Shock for Swimming Pools: Fast-dissolving granular formula destroys contaminants quickly while sanitizing and preventing algae growth
- Recommended Dosage: 1 pound pouch of Di-Chlor pool chlorine shock per 10,000 gallons of water
- Ingredients: This pool shock contains 99% Sodium Dichloro-S-Triazinetrione with 56% available stabilized chlorine
Dichloroisocyanuric acid (commonly abbreviated “Dichlor”) is also used as a chemical pool shock treatment mostly for residential pools. It is used for chlorine doses as well as shock treatments and contains less chlorine than the Cal-Hypo treatment at around 50% chlorine.
Like Cal-Hypo, some brands recommend dissolving it before adding it to your pool water while others specifically instruct users to dump it right in their pool without dissolving. Follow the instructions on your chosen pool shock for safety.
This pool shock treatment must also be used after dusk for the same reasons. The chlorine in this treatment will burn away from the sun during the day before it can do its job of killing bacteria and algae.
Each brand of Dichlor pool shock is different but similar to Cal-Hypo, the average wait time before safely re-entering your pool is about 8 hours.
Non-chlorine shock
- Chlorine free
- Clears pools within 15 minutes
- Active ingredient potassium monopersulfate effectively keeps water clear while controlling contaminants
- Safe for all pool surfaces
Non-chlorine pool shock treatments are used by those who want to be able to swim soon after treating their pool. The most common ingredient in non-chlorine pool shock treatments is potassium monopersulfate, and this shock treatment contains NO chlorine.
What many like about this type of treatment is that they can add it directly to their pool day or not without mixing. The sun doesn’t burn up the active ingredient like it does chlorine.
Instead of waiting eight hours for safe swimming, you only have to wait about 15 minutes before re-entering your swimming pool.
The drawback of using non-chlorine shock is that because there is no chlorine in the ingredients, it doesn’t work as well on algae. Some users of non-chlorine pool shock claim less than desirable results while others stand by this as their only shocking solution.
I would recommend only using a non-chlorine shock treatment when you want to be able to swim again shortly after. Once night comes, go back to your chlorine shock treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions When Shocking A Pool
How long does it take a shocked pool to clear?
Make sure to run the pump when shocking your pool so that it can circulate for 24 hours. If you test after this time, the chlorine should have already stabilized.
How often should a pool be shocked?
You need to shock your pool once a week. If you don’t do it every week, you should at least do it every other week. This is necessary for maintaining water chemistry and making sure that your swimming pool is safe to swim on.
Does too much chlorine make the pool cloudy?
Chlorine is great for sanitizing your pool, but it can also make the pool water cloudy if used improperly. Any time chlorine levels become unbalanced, you might see a cloudier than normal swimming experience because of too much or not enough to keep things in balance.
Final Thoughts
The type of shock treatment you use in your pool and the amount of time you wait will determine what happens if you swim in a shocked pool.
If it were shocked ten hours ago with the correct ratio of treatment to pool size, it would probably be okay to swim. Test strips are the best way to be confident about the safety of re-entering the pool after adding any type of pool chemical.
If you enter the pool immediately following a chlorine pool shock treatment, you are risking as little as skin and eye irritation and as much as fatality. Shocking your swimming pool is necessary, but take caution when doing so.
What is the proper level of chlorine 24 hrs after a shock treatment?