Deathly afraid of pool lights

73% Normal
16 Comments

Ever since I can remember I have been deathly afraid of pool lights. I can't go within a 4-ft. radius of them. If I have to go along the wall of the pool, I will make a conscious effort to swim a good distance away from the wall where there is a light and then return to the wall after I have passed it. I have to stare at it the whole time to make sure it doesn't do something creepy while I'm not looking, but the sight of it makes me tense.

Once, I was resting on the wall, happened to look down and found myself directly above one. I seriously freaked out and I felt like I was going to have a heart attack! Even seeing pictures of them makes me freeze for a second... No one else I know is like this. Am I weird?

Voting Results
73% Normal
Based on 299 votes (217 yes)
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Comments ( 16 )
  • badlydrawngirl
    13 years ago

    Yes it's normal. I'm also afraid of them and not becuase I think i'll get electrocuted

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  • [Old Memory]
    13 years ago

    same with me!! i cant swim near them at all or i like totally freak outr

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  • [Old Memory]
    13 years ago

    It is logical to be scared of them, lights are electric, water is an electric conductor

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  • cgirl123456
    14 years ago

    sounds like a random phobia to me!

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  • idonthaveausername
    13 years ago

    its a good thing you learned to swim away from them, because I heard they could suck you in at any minute and transport you to the planet Klaatu.

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  • yomama629
    13 years ago

    I might be a little late on this forum, but I have had the same fear for very long. The first time this happened to me was on a trip to the US (I used to live in France) when I was little, California I think it was. Before that day, I had no fear of lights, but that time, I freaked out and asked my parents to get me out of the water quickly. I can't swim in olympic pools unless I go very fast because of this fear and I can't open my eyes underwater. I'm not afraid of being electrocuted, just the way they look freaks me out. If I see a picture of one, I can't sleep for a week and can have panic attacks in the shower for a month. I finally decided to look up this fear today, and I'm glad I'm no the only one

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    • Breadmaster
      9 years ago

      I've had this eversence I first swam in a pool I've always known that I was afraid I just don't know why I'm also afraid of pool cleaners it sucks I have to ask to take them out then turn off the lights I thaught I was the only person on earth who had this fear

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  • Neuro42
    8 years ago

    I almost freeze in fear whenever in the same body of water and near electrical underwater lighting, especially if flickering irregularly.

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  • frannyasks
    11 years ago

    It's a very weird one. I literally just asked the same question. I'm exactly the same, sometimes I can't even get into a swimming pool. I'm going swimming tomorrow but deliberately to one with no lights. Someone told me it's linked to anxiety but I don't know. I used to be 100% fine with them. Go under water and tough them, look at them, swim near them etc. It'd got nothing to do with the electricity...

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  • platypus468
    11 years ago

    I am totally FREAKED out by pool lights. I am in no way afraid of getting electricuted or anything but they just look SO scary! The sad part is, I am on a swim team and am actually pretty good :) I have like 6 records standing but my fear REALLY holds me back! When my coach asks me to swim in an end line I get nervous :/ When I was younger I couldn't swim right next to the wall because I was so scared, and my teammates would get pissed because i would ALWAYS crash into them! Strangely enough, while most people are most scared of them most when they are on, they really don't bother me as much then. Just when they are off they are just so freaky. I think it is the look of them... all black like a camera looking at you.

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    • Benny767
      1 year ago

      I have almost an identical experience as you with them. Also swim team and same anxiety, coping mechanisms as you. So weird.. I think I must have had a near drowning experience when I was little and subconsciously when I see an underwater light, it freaks me out. I also, am more frightened by one’s that are off vs on.

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    • frannyasks
      11 years ago

      I totally get the 'looking at you' thing...

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  • xMARkD
    14 years ago

    No offense, but that's just a little weird. It sounds like those people on Maury who are afraid of buttons, foil, or Santa Claus. I definitely think it's not normal, but I'm not judging you.

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  • Star1778
    14 years ago

    I was afraid of them as a kid. Mainly because I always feared they would break and I would get electrocuted. Still kinda sticks with me to this day, but not enough to keep me from actually going in the water.

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  • BigRedOne
    14 years ago

    Pool lights can be very scary.

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  • mtnw
    14 years ago

    i'm the exact opposite. i am afraid of dark, black water. i don't know where my fear comes from either. many people have unjustified fears, therefore, i think you are normal.

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