Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) put out an immediate release alerting the pool and spa industries of this very serious problem. From 1978-1996, the CPSC reported 49 incidents, which included 18 that involved children between the ages of 2-14. Five of the 18 incidents ended in deaths due to body entrapment. Another 13 deaths were contributed to hair entanglement.

The same week the CPSC report came out, a 16-year girl at a party in Wall Township, New Jersey, lost her life in front of her friends and faculty in an indoor swimming facility. The girl was in the spa and dipped her head underwater to wet her hair when someone turned on the high jet pump. The girl was held underwater by the powerful suction from the main drain of the spa, while a lifeguard, police officer and classmates struggled to pull her free. Some students even tried to bail water out of the spa to lower the water level, but there was not enough time.

How could a five foot nine inch teenager drown in three feet of water, surrounded by people trying to help? The incredible force of the suction trapping the girl under- water baffled the rescuers. The suction force was somewhere around 380 pounds.

While main drains are essential for water circulation, there are very old drain covers that need to be replaced. The new pump technologies today now perform at an efficiency rate of two or three times the efficiency of pumps from ten years ago, which is a real concern.

1. Body entrapment happens when a drain sucks a person against the drain cover, sealing off the drain cover, the vacuum pressure builds, and the person cannot escape.

2. Limb entrapment is when a person gets one of their limbs stuck by the suction force of a main drain cover that is either missing or unsecured, or by a side suction outlet that is not properly covered.

3. Hair entrapment occurs when a swimmer's hair is sucked through the main drain grate and tangles in what is called a sump and the hair swirls and knots, trapping a swimmer underwater.

4. Evisceration or disembowelment is when an organ is drawn from the body. This occurs when a person (often a small child) sits on an unsecured or missing drain cover, and the intense suction pulls the rectum and intestines from the body.

Last year there were 10 reported cases of entrapment. Over the last five or six years there have been some new technologies introduced, to create a better, safer swimming environment. Along with new technologies, there are layers of protection :hat are available.

Drain covers should be inspected daily.

Four Layers Of Protection

1. Educate staff and swimmers on Pool and spa drain safety.

2. Make sure the pool and spa have certified drain covers that are securely fastened.  Pool chemicals can break down plastic covers.  sure to inspect all drain covers daily, and replace any cracked, broken covers. If the pool or spa is missing a cover, close it and replace the cover. Drain covers should be firmly attached with stainless steel screws per the manufacturer's instructions.

3. Hydraulically balanced dual main drain systems reduce the suction of one drain and carries relief to the other, freeing anyone that could become otherwise stuck.

4. Install a safety vacuum relief device (5VRD). There are new and exciting technologies that have been introduced to the aquatics industry.

5. There should be a pool and spa pump emergency shut off button that is visible and accessible within the pool and spa area.

With layers of protection, community associations should need not to suffer the anguish of such tragedies or bear the financial responsibilities. All pools and spas, no matter how old, can be updated with new systems and technologies to make them as safe as possible, at minimal cost.

Drowning deaths by main drain suction entrapment can be prevented. This year a court ruling in Florida award- ed a judgment against a pool company, and its customer, an apartment community, a decision of over $7,000,000 in damages because a teenager was trapped by suction of the main drain. The teenager lived, and is now in a coma. This kind of accident does not need to hap- pen at your community.