For blood in the pool, there is no action required other than attending to the injured individual and making sure the blood does not contaminate anywhere else.
A properly maintained pool contains enough chlorine to kill any bloodborne pathogens.
From the CDC: Germs found in blood (for example, Hepatitis B virus or HIV) are spread when infected blood or certain body fluids get into the body and bloodstream (for example, by sharing needles or by sexual contact). Chlorine kills germs found in blood and CDC is not aware of any instances in which a person has become infected with these germs after being exposed to a blood spill in a pool.
From the CDC: Germs found in blood (for example, Hepatitis B virus or HIV) are spread when infected blood or certain body fluids get into the body and bloodstream (for example, by sharing needles or by sexual contact). Chlorine kills germs found in blood and CDC is not aware of any instances in which a person has become infected with these germs after being exposed to a blood spill in a pool.
- Does chlorine kill the germs in blood? Yes. These germs do not survive long when diluted into properly chlorinated pool water.
- Swimmers want something to be done after a blood spill. Should the pool be closed for a short period of time? There is no public health reason to recommend closing the pool after a blood spill. However, some pools choose to do so temporarily to satisfy patrons.
