Swimming Pool Drains That Injure

Don Jacobs

Contributor

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Another child has been injured by the drain in a public swimming pool.

Electric pumps installed on large swimming pools have the power to move large quantities of water quickly. Most pools have a flat drain at the bottom. When operating, the drain has the ability to create an incredibly strong suction effect. If an object is placed against the drain, it can be nearly impossible to dislodge.

Most swimmers don’t give the drains a second thought. Kids though seem to be attracted to these when they play. Against a white pool bottom, the drain becomes an item of curiosity. When children swim down to investigate, they can be trapped underwater by the suction of the pump. Even worse, some large pools have enough suction power to tear flesh and rip out internal organs.

This very tragic result occurred at a golf club pool in Minnesota to a six year old girl. All she did was sit on the drain in a wading pool. The powerful suction tore out part of her intestines. She died later at a hospital. The injury could have been easily prevented with the installation of raised grates over the drain. These devices are now installed in many public pools. Fortunately, after the tragic result in Minnesota, the state passed legislation requiring raised drain covers for all new public pools.