Is it safe to sit near a swimming pool?

@pled I might be the exception in this group, but I have no issue with sitting near an outdoor pool, and even swimming in one. The contaminants (NTM, etc) are well diluted by the huge volume of outdoor air and carried away on the breeze. I have regularly been in outdoor pools, lakes and the ocean since my diagnosis and treatment almost 6 years ago, and have never gotten sick from this activity. I do stay away from hot tubs, which is sad because in cool weather we used to socialize in one regularly.
On the other hand, I avoid indoor pools completely because of the concentrated vapor in the air, and the limited air exchange. My grandkids don't like this because they love to use the Y pool in cool weather, but Dad and Mom just have to take them.
Sue

Sue, when you swim do you put your head under the water?

I do water aerobics in an outdoor junior olympic size pool. Before doing so, I checked with my pulmonologist and she had no problem with it. She said that an indoor pool or hot tub is another story and definitely not recommended. And, to answer your questions to Sue, I do not put my head under the water. I also stay a safe distance away from other exercisers.

I have a pool. I sit near it and in it. We have had one for 51 yrs. No doctor has ever mentioned not getting in one or near one. Hot tubs are a different story. Our pool never gets very warm. I have also been in inside pools. The only reason I don’t like them is the chlorine is so strong it really bothers me now. Makes me tighten up. I wait all winter for that pool to be ready.

What about an outdoor hot tub? I presume to avoid as well but how far way to sit from it outside?

Look where the hot tub vapor goes and stay away from it - usually it's pretty straight up. In my case I'll sit about 5' away and visit.

Like Arlo, I keep my face out of pools and fresh water lakes. That isn't to say I never take a dunk, but it's not been a problem.But I don't worry about the ocean.

Do you think wearing a KN95 mask while in an outdoor hot tub would work? I do so love the outdoor under the stars experience on the occasional mountain or coastal rentals. The tubs are at the rental home, so public but not "public" in the sense of a spa or resort hot tub.

Thanks for thoughts

I don't know whether a damp KN-95 is an effective barrier against NTM or MAC.
The other question with this bacteria is not whether it is a public facility, as with some germs like e. coli, it is a matter of whether the water contains NTM, either from its source or from the environment. The second question is temperature - NTM doesn't survive well above 130F, but then neither would you.

I'm pretty laid back about living with Bronchiectasis, so I might chance it occasionally. I would double up on my 7% saline & airway clearance for several days afterwards. But I would not be comfortable encouraging anyone else to do it...

Any other thoughts on the matter?

Sue

Ah - hadn't thought about a DAMP KN95 - lol. I like your idea about doubling up on airway clearance and especially nebulizing with the 7% saline twice a day for several days afterwards. Seems worth it to me to do that to hot tub once a year or so.... will probably depend on how I'm doing at the time. Thanks for your input.