SPS NEWS SPECIAL
YOUNG SWIMMERS are most at risk of swimming pool entrapment.
FOLLOWING A WAVE OF PUBLICITY both in newspapers and on-line, media interest in the story has waned. Pics. Facebook
is evident from BBC news pictures that the water level was low and again the skimmers also must have been turned off. This would have created a tremendous suction from the sump outlet that bathers would not be able to overcome and would become entrapped on this pool outlet. Again in my opinion, I believe the nine year old became entrapped and her sixteen year old brother, bravely attempted to rescue her. The father then also attempted a rescue and was held below the water by his son and daughter. In a situation where someone is drowning they are possessed with phenomenal strength and would attempt to cling on to anybody close by. Another factor that contributed, but I am certain was not the root cause of this tragedy was water temperature. At the time of my ‘walkabout’ inspection, using a PIR thermometer, I surreptitiously measured the temperature at 18OC. I spoke to an industry authority on
Cold water drowning, Yan Kowals MISPE who told me “When the body is suddenly immersed in cold water it experiences a number of physiological responses that can rapidly incapacitate
in draining the pool and considerable expenditure all to rectify what was a poor design. What however they could do for a paltry 1,000 euros is fit an anti-vacuum valve in the plant room on the suction side of the circulation pump that in the event of a vacuum forming would open within milliseconds allowing air into the system, releasing the vacuum that had formed between the sump outlet and the pump. At the time of my covert inspection,
and in rare cases even kill. The sudden lowering of skin temperature is one of the most profound stimuli that the body can encounter. The biggest danger is inhaling water and drowning, even if the casualty knows how to swim. Cold Water Shock causes an immediate loss of breathing control. The casualty takes one or more huge gasps, followed by hyperventilation (very rapid breathing that is hard or impossible for them to control.”
This pool is evidently in use twelve months of the year. Many tiles were missing off the bottom, indicating poor maintenance. Ideally there should be two floor outlets with a flow rate no more than 0.5m/s and they should be at a distance apart that one bather could not block both of them. To rectify this would evidently involve the operator
I noticed some A4 signs stating the pool was at that time, closed. These signs were in English and assumed that the reader could (A) read and (B) read English. There were no barriers around the pool discouraging entry and if I had so wished, I could have entered the pool. My agenda is that accidents and incidents such as this should be investigated by unbiased, independent, competent investigators and not by those with a bias towards clearing the facility operator of any blame or responsibility. I would state that I have not received
or want any financial reward for any services, time spent, etc. connected with this tragedy and am willing to revisit site for a full inspection, at my own cost, if the opportunity arises.”
Studies In Work, H&S Consultants
www.studiesinwork.co.uk
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