When Congress passed the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, it sought to curb the growing number of suction entrapment injuries occurring in the United States. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there have been 74 children and adults seriously injured or killed in suction entrapment-related incidents in the United States since 1999.
Suction entrapment occurs when a swimmer, typically a child, is trapped by the suction forces of the main drain at the bottom of the swimming pool or spa—many of these incidents result in serious, life-altering injuries and sometimes death. Starting December 19, 2008, the Virginia Graeme Baker Act will require the installation of anti-entrapment suction outlets in all public swimming pools and spas and it strongly recommends that private owners follow suit.
Suction entrapment incidents are classified into one of five categories: hair entrapment, body entrapment, limb entrapment, mechanical entrapment and evisceration. According to the CPSC, more than half of the reported suction entrapment incidents from 1999-2007 were classified as either body entrapment or limb entrapment. Body entrapment occurs when suction is applied to a large portion of the body or limbs; limb entrapment occurs when a limb is inserted or sucked into an open suction outlet.
AquaStar Pool Products, Inc. currently features 17 separate combinations of anti-entrapment suction outlet covers. The San Diego-based pool products company manufactures VGB Series drain covers that not only bring public swimming pools and spas into compliance, they create a safer pool and spa experience for everyone.
“Installing an AquaStar VGB Series anti-entrapment suction outlet greatly reduces the risk of suction entrapment-related injuries and fatalities in all swimming pools and spas,” AquaStar co-founder Olaf Mjelde said. “Preventing the loss of life and serious injuries caused by suction entrapment is priority number one for AquaStar.”
About AquaStar
Founded in 2003, AquaStar Pool Products, Inc., the worldwide leader in pool technology systems, is headquartered in San Diego, California. AquaStar Pool Products, Inc. is the creator of the following brands: Clear Choice®, AquaStop®, AquaThunder®
