Can a pool drain disembowel you?

Or, as was the case in this wading pool incident, an open drain can suction organs out of the body. In 1993, Valerie Lakey, 5, was playing in a wading pool at a recreation club in North Carolina when she became caught in the uncovered drain's vortex. The pull was so strong that she was disemboweled.

Can a swimming pool drain disembowel you?

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the pressure on some pool drains can be as strong as 300 pounds per square inch. 1 This kind of pressure can suck in hair or body parts, or trap swimmers underwater and cause them to drown, even if someone is trying to pull a victim away from the drain.

Can you get trapped in a pool drain?

Even if a parent is closely supervising a child in a pool, one adult alone cannot free a child trapped by a drain. Entrapment occurs when a body is held against the drain by the force of the pool's suction, or if a bathing suit, jewelry, hair or a limb gets caught in the drain.

Why should you stay away from pool drains?

Because pool drains use suction to filter things out of the water, they put people at risk for entrapment. If a small, light person gets too close to a pool drain, they can become trapped underwater, which can lead to a host of injuries including accidental drowning.

Are pool drains powerful?

The vacuum effect in pool drains is powerful enough to hold swimmers, especially children, to the bottom of a pool. Contact between human skin and a flat pool drain can create suction equal to hundreds of pounds of pressure.

Be aware of the dangers of pool drains

Why do swimming pools scare me?

Aquaphobia is a specific phobia. This is an irrational fear of something that doesn't cause much danger. You may have aquaphobia if you find that any source of water causes you an excessive amount of anxiety. This can include a swimming pool, a lake, an ocean, or even a bathtub.

What is swimming pool anti entrapment?

New, safer drains are designed to be curved so that they can never be fully blocked by a body part. Parents should always confirm with pool and spa owners that they are using anti-entrapment drain covers before allowing children to get in the water.

What should be done first when someone gets stuck on the main drain in the bottom of the pool?

Fencing off your pool.

If someone becomes entrapped in a pool drain, the CPSC recommends immediately turning off the pump. Don't try to pull the person away—instead, insert fingers or a small object between the drain and the person's body to break the seal and then roll them off until they're free.

Where do inground pools drain to?

During normal operation, water flows to the filtering system through two or more main drains at the bottom of the pool and multiple skimmer drains around the top of the pool. The main drains are usually located on the lowest point in the pool, so the entire pool surface slants toward them.

How do people get stuck in pool drains?

Where does pool water go when drained?

When swimming pool and spa water is drained to the City's storm drain system it will eventually reach local creeks, rivers, and the ocean untreated. The City's storm drain system consists of roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, human-made channels, and storm drains.

What does the bottom drain of an inground pool do?

Main Drain: The main drain is typically located at the deepest point of the pool and is used to lower the water level, however its primary purpose is to circulate water from the bottom of the pool. It is recommended that about 1/3rd of the circulated water come from the main drain.

How long does it take to drain a 15000 gallon pool?

Draining a pool can take up to 14 hours, depending on the size, so be sure to drain it on a day when you have sufficient free time. You need to be home to check on the pool, the hoses, and the pump frequently.

How does a pool drain work?

First, your pump sucks in water from the pool through the main drain (!) and the skimmer. Next, water passes through the pump's strainer basket, which catches large debris like leaves. It also passes into the filter, which cleans the water of microscopic debris and contaminants.

What is the second hole in skimmer?

The second hole in the skimmer is connected to a pipe called an equalizer. This pipe goes down approximately two feet and through the concrete wall of the pool. It prevents the pump from taking in air if the pool's water level dips below the skimmer opening.

Can you snake pool pipes?

Also, do not try using a plumber's "snake." A snake typically doesn't work on pool pipes because pools use 90-degree elbows and house plumbing uses 90-degree "sweeps," which allow the snake to round the corners. Also, a sewer-line snake should not be used on a pool for sanitary reasons.

How do I stop my drain from entrapment?

eliminate the drain or reverse the flow • add a second, properly spaced outlet (drain) • install an SVRS (safety vacuum release system) • install an automatic pump shut-off system • install a suction limiting vent system • add a gravity drainage system.

What is an anti-vortex drain?

Antivortex drain means a drain having a raised cover designed to prevent or minimize any suctioning effect on a person that comes into contact with the drain.

How long does it take for shock to clear water?

Always run the pump when shocking the pool and allow it to circulate for 24 hours. The water should then be a blue or cloudy blue color. Test the water 24 hours after shocking and start adjusting pH and alkalinity levels. The chlorine will still be elevated, but over a few days, it should stabilize.

What is Megalohydrothalassophobia?

megalohydrothalassophobia (fear of large underwater creatures or objects)

What is a fear of poop called?

Sufferers of this fear experience anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. They go out of their way to avoid coming into contact with feces or sometimes even seeing feces. Fear of feces is termed "coprophobia," a word derived from the Greek "kopros" (dung) and "phobos" (fear).

What is the Glossophobia?

Glossophobia, or a fear of public speaking, is a very common phobia and one that is believed to affect up to 75% of the population. Some individuals may feel a slight nervousness at the very thought of public speaking, while others experience full-on panic and fear.

How can I empty my pool without flooding my yard?

Will 2 hoses fill a pool faster than 1?

Yes. If you have two hoses hooked up to the spigot, it will fill your pool faster than if only one hose is running into the pool. When using two hoses, each hose should be receiving around 11 GPM (gallons per minute).