What Happens If You Fall on a Pool Cover?

Short answer: it depends on the type of cover. A properly anchored winter safety cover (mesh or solid) is designed to stay taut and support weight in an emergency—often enough to keep a person or pet from going into the water. A tarp-style or loose cover, on the other hand, can sag, entrap, and quickly become dangerous. (Read more)

If You Fall on a Winter Safety Cover

A true safety cover is tensioned over the pool and secured into deck anchors. If you step or slip onto it, you’ll typically feel a firm “trampoline-like” surface that holds you above the waterline. This buys time to crawl to the edge or accept help without breaking through. Safety covers are specifically engineered and load-tested for this purpose and are available in mesh (drains water) and solid (blocks sunlight) options. (Read more)

However, it’s not a playground. You can still be injured by the fall itself, and solid covers may accumulate puddled water on top that’s cold, heavy, and disorienting. Avoid standing upright; crawl to spread your weight and exit at the nearest edge. (Read more)

What it feels like (and why):

• Taut & anchored: The cover is pulled tight and locked into recessed deck anchors, so it resists sagging. (Read more)
• Mesh vs. solid: Mesh lets melt and rainwater drain through, reducing slippery puddles; solid blocks 100% of sunlight to help prevent algae but can hold water that must be pumped off. (Read more)

If You Fall on a Tarp or Loose Cover

Tarp-style “winter blankets” that aren’t tensioned into anchors can fold around you like a hammock. Water quickly washes over the material, and you can become trapped under a cold, heavy sheet—one reason tarp-to-safety-cover upgrades are strongly recommended for winter protection. (Read more)

What To Do Immediately

1. Stay low and crawl—don’t try to stand. Spread your weight and move toward the nearest edge. (Read more)
2. Call for help and have a bystander dial emergency services if you’re disoriented or stuck.
3. If on a solid cover with water on top, keep your face clear of puddled water and keep crawling; do not cut the cover (you could fall through). (Read more)
4. Once off the cover, get warm and dry quickly; cold shock can set in fast during winter.

How to Prevent Falls in the First Place

• Choose a real safety cover—mesh or solid—sized and tensioned for your pool, not a tarp. (Read more)
• Keep it tight: Re-check tension and hardware periodically; a loose cover is a risky cover. (Read more)
• Remove standing water from solid covers with a cover pump. (Read more)
• Post “no walking on cover” rules for kids and guests; safety covers are for emergencies, not footpaths. (Read more)
• Mind edges and ladders: Snow/ice make coping and steps slippery; keep those areas clear. (Read more)

Why Mesh or Solid Safety Covers Are Safer

• Anchored security: The defining feature of a safety cover is its anchor system—which keeps the material level and load-bearing. (Read more)
• Design options: Mesh drains melt and rainwater; solid blocks sunlight that encourages algae. Both are engineered for durability and emergency support. (Read more)
• Peace of mind for families & pet owners: Quality covers are built to withstand significant weight, keeping loved ones out of the water if they wander onto the surface. (Read more)

Considering an Upgrade?

If your “winter cover” is really just a tarp or your current safety cover is worn, upgrading to a modern, custom-measured safety cover is one of the most meaningful safety improvements you can make before the next freeze. Learn more about Latham® mesh and solid options, the free old-cover pickup, and fast turnaround here: Winter Safety Covers. (Read more)

Note: Calm Water Pools sells premium Latham® safety covers; installation isn’t included. Latham arranges free pickup of your existing cover, measures for accuracy, and provides an exact estimate before production. (Read more)