A swimming lesson, a hydrotherapy session or a morning at the beach should be something to enjoy. For people who experience bladder or bowel leakage, and those who support them, planning ahead can make getting into the water feel far more manageable.

“Code brown” is a common nickname for a faecal incident in a pool. It can happen to children or adults, and it deserves a calm, respectful response.

Suitable swimwear, regular toilet breaks and good hygiene all help reduce the risk. However, no swim product can guarantee that accidents or contamination won't occur.

Bladder leakage and bowel leakage are different

Bladder leakage is the unintentional loss of urine. Bowel leakage is the unintentional loss of stool. Both can affect confidence, but they raise different concerns in shared water.

Stool can introduce germs that make other swimmers unwell. Diarrhoea is of particular concern, because germs can spread even when someone is wearing a swim nappy (CDC). Urine also affects water quality: in chlorinated pools it reacts with chlorine to form chloramines, which can irritate the eyes and airways (CDC).

Do swim nappies hold urine?

Swim nappies should not be relied on to keep urine out of the water. According to the CDC, they may hold some solid stool but are not leak-proof and do not stop diarrhoea-causing germs from escaping (CDC).

Some specialist continence swimwear includes an absorbent layer, but this does not create a guaranteed urine barrier once submerged. Wear usual continence protection before and after swimming, and change into purpose-designed swimwear close to swim time.

When to skip swimming

Stay out of pools, oceans, lakes and rivers when experiencing diarrhoea. A disposable swim nappy or reusable containment garment does not make swimming safe.

NSW Health advises against swimming if you have had diarrhoea within the past two weeks (NSW Health, NSW Health). People with ongoing bowel conditions should speak with their treating clinician about a swimming plan, as stable bowel incontinence and a new episode of diarrhoea need different assessment.

How to reduce the risk of an accident

Before swimming

• Check the venue's requirements for swim nappies and continence swimwear.
• Use the toilet, or support the person's usual toileting routine, before entering the water.
• Shower before swimming and put on clean swimwear.
• Check the fit around the waist and legs. Choose by the product's measurements rather than age or clothing size; leg openings should be secure without causing discomfort.
• Pack spare swimwear, dry clothes and usual continence supplies.

Ordinary disposable nappies swell in water, and standard continence pads and pull-ups should not replace products designed specifically for swimming.

While swimming

• Take regular toilet breaks rather than waiting for urgency. The CDC recommends taking children for a bathroom break and checking swim nappies about every hour, and sooner if soiling is suspected.
• For adults, plan breaks around individual needs and any existing continence care advice.
• Change away from the water in a designated changing area, and wash hands with soap and water afterwards.
• Maintain supervision. Continence swimwear is not a flotation aid.

What to do if a “code brown” happens

Stay calm and protect the person's privacy. Accidents need practical help, not blame.

1. Help the person leave the water safely.
2. Tell pool staff immediately if stool may have entered the pool.
3. Move to a designated changing area to clean and change.
4. Dispose of waste appropriately and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
5. Follow staff instructions before anyone returns to the water. Chlorine does not make contamination safe immediately.

At a patrolled beach, tell a lifeguard if stool has entered a shared swimming area, and don't rinse soiled garments in the ocean. If the stool is diarrhoeal, stop swimming and follow health advice on when to return.

Does the ocean change the advice?

The ocean is not a substitute for a toilet, and natural water doesn't remove the need for hygiene precautions. Avoid swimming when unwell with diarrhoea, keep changing activities away from the shoreline and check local water quality alerts (CDC).

In NSW, avoid swimming at ocean beaches within 24 hours of heavy rain, and within three days in estuaries and rivers, as stormwater runoff can contaminate the water (NSW Health).

Confidence comes from preparation and support

Continence needs should never be a source of shame. For children, keep toilet breaks calm and routine. For adults, respect privacy, preferences and the level of assistance they want.

If bladder or bowel leakage is new, worsening or difficult to manage, speak with a health professional. The National Continence Helpline is available on 1800 33 00 66, or you can book a holistic continence assessment.

Swim products support continence management. They don't replace toilet breaks, hygiene precautions or advice to stay out of the water after diarrhoea. This information is general in nature and does not replace individual medical advice.

Sources

1. CDC: Chloramines and pool operation
2. CDC: Tips for using swim diapers
3. NSW Health: Healthy swimming pools
4. NSW Health: Cryptosporidiosis fact sheet
5. CDC: How to safely visit oceans, lakes and rivers
6. NSW Health: Recreational water quality