Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
You want a piece of this?

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


           

Diving Platform Springboard

A way to get around some Insurance problems
  (+1)
(+1)
  [vote for,
against]

The average swimming pool used to have a diving board, but there were accidents, and finally Insurance Companies raised the rates so high that almost all of them were torn down. They tend to survive only in certain sporting venues, which means that the average amateur, who wants to become a diver, is very limited in places to go to practice.

It is my understanding that more of the accidents were related to the diving boards breaking, than to, say, divers colliding with people already in the water below. So, what if there was a safer alternative?

Well, there is "platform diving" (linked). Solid reinforced concrete will break extremely rarely, compared to a frequently- flexing diving board, and so far as I know, the Insurance Companies haven't declared them to be too risky. But the "feel" of starting a dive is very different, especially for someone used to a flexible diving board....

So, see the linked image; it is the kind of springboard used in gymnastics for vaults and such. Now suppose such a springboard was solidly attached near the edge of a diving platform? It would be possible to run and bounce and get most of the enjoyment associated with classic diving boards.

And springboards are safer, too; they have actual springs that are designed to be removed in patterns, for different amounts of springiness. This means they all could simply be replaced at intervals, preventing surprise breakages.

Vernon, Apr 10 2013

Diving platform https://en.wikipedi...iki/Diving_platform
As mentioned in the main text. [Vernon, Apr 10 2013]

Gymnastics springboard http://www.american...ht=300&maxWidth=300
As mentioned in the main text [Vernon, Apr 10 2013]


Please log in.
If you're not logged in, you can see what this page looks like, but you will not be able to add anything.



Annotation:







       //It is my understanding that more of the accidents were related to the diving boards breaking, than to, say, divers colliding with people already in the water // On what basis? I've never heard of a diving board breaking, though I suppose they must sometimes.
MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 10 2013
  

       [+] Concrete platforms suck for springboard diving (obviously)... but note you won't get anywhere near the amount of springiness of a diving-board with a gymnastics springboard.
FlyingToaster, Apr 10 2013
  

       This is a great idea. What about just a waterproof springboard you set next to the pool with skid proof pads? Sort of a portable diving board. Kids would love that! A small round trampoline would work well, too.
taylortexas, Apr 11 2013
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle