Ever wonder what it would be like to swim, dive, or even belly flop in outer space? And what would the actions of a lifeguard look like?

Given the advancements in aerospace technology by companies like SpaceX, space exploration is not only possible but happening as we speak.

So the question is: What would it look like to manage a pool in outer space?

Preparing for Space Travel

It turns out that pools are one of the best ways to prepare for the weightlessness of space. By slipping into a spacesuit with added weights, future space cadets are submerged into a giant pool where the physics of space are best simulated.

While underwater training is a close approximation of life in space, it’s still worlds apart.

Swimming in Zero Gravity

The video below is a scene from Passengers where someone (Jennifer Lawrence) is swimming in a pool when zero gravity returns unexpectedly, which ironically makes her a fish out of water, while in the water.

Why did the water form and move in those strange ways?

Gravity is a force so, in a zero-gravity environment where there is no force, there is nothing to affect the shape of a free-flowing object. In space, water forms into perfectly round spheres.

Why? It’s due to how attracted molecules are to each other. Hydrogen bonds create a strong attraction of water to itself which pulls the water into the shape with the least amount of surface area compared to the volume – a sphere (see image below).

Without gravity, all matter has the same weight (essentially no weight). So that’s why the swimmer (Jennifer Lawrence) didn’t fall through the water as it rose up out of the pool.

Why was it so hard for her to swim out of the water?

On Earth, the water in a swimming pool is held down by gravity and kept in place by the pool walls. This allows for a force to be generated (by a swimmer) and thus, propulsion through the water.

newton third law motion hearts.gif — According to **Newton’s Third Law of Motion**:

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When one body pushes against another (hand against water), the second body (water) pushes back just as hard.

Swimming in zero gravity would remove this force almost entirely. Movement through the water would be possible but would happen at an extremely slow rate.

Swimming competitions would need to change event distances to inches instead of meters, or else the audience would be in for a very long day.

Lifeguarding in Zero Gravity

If swimming pools operated in space, people would be seeking a very different experience with the activity. The outing would be less like a refreshing pool day and more like a silent disco.

What would lifeguards be looking/scanning for in a space pool?

Well, there wouldn’t be a need for drowning rescues because in zero gravity you can’t really be submerged beneath a body of water.

The water, whether in big blobs or small spheres, could be easily wiped off of your face. Picture walking into a cobweb, minus the spiders.

So a lifeguard might be primarily scanning for space swimmers floating out of control.

Space-spinning Rescues

A more realistic issue, especially with new space “swimmers” would be an inability to stop spinning once in motion. As stated above, in order to get moving, someone or something would have to apply a force to the swimmer.

So let’s say, in the spirit of playfulness, one friend grabs another friend by the shoulder and gives him a big spin. That spinning swimmer would stay in motion until reaching a wall or another space swimmer.

The role of a lifeguard in this situation would be to stop the swimmer from spinning before they became sick and expelled something that no one would want floating around the space pool…

And in order to reach the flailing space swimmer quickly, lifeguards might be better off using a long stick to hook and grab swimmers rather than trying to float through the crowded air space.

Communicating in Space

Although sound does not travel in the vacuum of space, the inside of any space station or environment built for humans to live in would allow for sound just like on Earth.

That said, space stations are known to be very noisy due to the number of pumps, fans, and other machines required to operate the vessel. So it may be more effective to focus on senses other than sound.

For example, instead of using whistles lifeguards could simply sit next to the light switch and flicker the lights on/off to get the attention of space swimmers.

So whether you find yourself in the lifeguard chair at a space swimming pool or are one of the patrons enjoying the floating activity, you now have a better idea of what to expect.

Remember, in zero gravity there is no force and without a force, movement is very slow - so the walls are your friends.

And while sunblock may not be necessary, proper swimsuit attire is still required.

DigiQuatics is a simple tool that aquatics facilities can use to modernize their operation. Visit www.digiquatics.com to learn more.

How to Manage a Pool, In Outer Space.