To prevent a bather from diving into too shallow water, where should depth markers be provided?

Depth markers play a crucial role in ensuring safety around swimming pools by clearly indicating water depth to prevent accidents, such as diving into shallow areas. Providing depth markers on horizontal surfaces around the pool, such as decks or surrounding tiles, helps bathers identify safe zones visually before entering the water.

Marking vertical surfaces within the pool itself is equally important, as it allows bathers who are already in the water to be aware of the depth at which they are currently swimming or diving. This can be particularly helpful in guiding their actions and ensuring they do not dive in areas that are too shallow.

Lastly, placing depth markers a minimum of every 20 feet ensures that bathers are consistently reminded of the water depth as they move around the pool. This frequency makes it easier for individuals, especially children and inexperienced swimmers, to recognize depth changes and make safe decisions.

Using all these methods—horizontal and vertical markers, accompanied by appropriate spacing—form a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the risk of diving injuries. Hence, it is essential for depth markers to be implemented in all of these locations, making the overall approach to safety thorough and effective.