What are player safety and medical provisions in Water Polo?

Section 8: Safety Considerations

Minimum water depth of 1.80 m (5.9 ft) strictly enforced to prevent players from pushing off the bottom and to reduce injury risk from contact near the pool floor
Pool walls must have no sharp edges, protruding fittings, or hazards within the field of play
Goals must be padded at the base and securely anchored to prevent tipping
Anti-wave lane ropes may be used outside the field of play but not within it

Fingernails inspected before each match; long or sharp nails result in the player being barred from play until trimmed
No jewelry, watches, bracelets, or hard hair accessories permitted
Players who are bleeding must leave the water immediately and may only return after the bleeding has stopped and the wound is covered
Concussion protocols: any player suspected of a concussion must be assessed by the medical team before returning to play; the referee may require a substitution
Trained medical personnel and a defibrillator must be present poolside at all sanctioned competitions

Referees monitor for dangerous play including elbows to the head, underwater kicks, and holding a player’s head underwater
Video review (VAR) available at major international competitions for brutality incidents and goal-line decisions
Officials have the authority to suspend a match for lightning, severe weather, or facility emergencies
Warm-up and cool-down periods supervised by officials; no unsupervised swimming in competition pools

Water quality must meet World Aquatics standards (chlorination levels, pH, turbidity)
Adequate lighting: minimum 1500 lux at the water surface for televised events
Water temperature maintained between 25–27 °C (77–81 °F)
Emergency exits and evacuation routes clearly marked for spectators and athletes

Minimum water depth of 1.80 m (5.9 ft) strictly enforced to prevent players from pushing off the bottom and to reduce injury risk from contact near the pool floor
Pool walls must have no sharp edges, protruding fittings, or hazards within the field of play
Goals must be padded at the base and securely anchored to prevent tipping
Anti-wave lane ropes may be used outside the field of play but not within it

Fingernails inspected before each match; long or sharp nails result in the player being barred from play until trimmed
No jewelry, watches, bracelets, or hard hair accessories permitted
Players who are bleeding must leave the water immediately and may only return after the bleeding has stopped and the wound is covered
Concussion protocols: any player suspected of a concussion must be assessed by the medical team before returning to play; the referee may require a substitution
Trained medical personnel and a defibrillator must be present poolside at all sanctioned competitions

Referees monitor for dangerous play including elbows to the head, underwater kicks, and holding a player’s head underwater
Video review (VAR) available at major international competitions for brutality incidents and goal-line decisions
Officials have the authority to suspend a match for lightning, severe weather, or facility emergencies
Warm-up and cool-down periods supervised by officials; no unsupervised swimming in competition pools

Water quality must meet World Aquatics standards (chlorination levels, pH, turbidity)
Adequate lighting: minimum 1500 lux at the water surface for televised events
Water temperature maintained between 25–27 °C (77–81 °F)
Emergency exits and evacuation routes clearly marked for spectators and athletes