I was just thinking about the child who was disemboweled

Nurses General Nursing

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at the country club pool. Apparently she sank to the bottom and the suction was strong enough to pull her small gut out. It seems to me this would be a perfect trial of a stomach, pancreas, liver and small bowel transplant. I know they like to do it in one block because of all the anastamoses needed. Has anyone heard anything else?

Unfortunately, this is not the first time this sort of thing has happened. A handful of people have had their intestines pulled out from these water pumps, this was definately not the first time. There have also been a number of people that have been killed by these pumps, either from the damage caused by the pump, or the person drowns. Either way, many lives have been ruined by these, and the problem continues. People need to be aware of the dangers of getting too close to the intake area of the pumps, and there should be very large covers surrounding the entire area to prevent people from getting too close. The fix is such an incredibly easy thing to do, but so many people just are not aware there is even a problem. So, these types of tragedies will continue.

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time this sort of thing has happened. A handful of people have had their intestines pulled out from these water pumps, this was definately not the first time. There have also been a number of people that have been killed by these pumps, either from the damage caused by the pump, or the person drowns. Either way, many lives have been ruined by these, and the problem continues. People need to be aware of the dangers of getting too close to the intake area of the pumps, and there should be very large covers surrounding the entire area to prevent people from getting too close. The fix is such an incredibly easy thing to do, but so many people just are not aware there is even a problem. So, these types of tragedies will continue.

It happened at a private country club and they are exempt from any regulations at public pools. It apparently was not that unusal a happening. It can be avoided by installing a simple safety device which cost lessen then $50. The parents have a good lawsuit but the little girl will have a miserable life.

Woody:angryfire

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Woody I broke my ankle at thecountry club ice rink that the ice had been poorly maintained. They were certainly covered by public law. I was also using their skates, I wonder if it had been otherwise if I'd had mine with me? The township closed the rink, that sounds pretty public law to me.

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
Woody I broke my ankle at thecountry club ice rink that the ice had been poorly maintained. They were certainly covered by public law. I was also using their skates, I wonder if it had been otherwise if I'd had mine with me? The township closed the rink, that sounds pretty public law to me.

As much as I haste this attorney, every once in a while, she does have something to say that is important. She had a NYS former judge and a D.A., as well as a defense attorney. They all said because it had happened at a private country club the rules forcing public pools to install the equipment to cut off the suction did not apply in this instance. And I have testified, as an expert witness, at two trials involving a private club, where the state law protected them from the same acts that held a public club liable. The laws vary from state to state, as do the degree of enforcement. Private property is generally protected much better then public property. You have to prove that the institution was aware of the hazard and did not take steps to protect members or the public.

In your case, I am assuming it was an ice rink on a pond. That changes the degree of liability. And more than likely it changed the position of the county regarding the hazards of the skating rink. In this little girl's case, her parents have a good suit for negligence, even on private property. The only thing that the club is protected from is being forced to make the upgrades necessary to avoid such an accident. It is like older buildings being exempt from installing water sprinklers from being mandated retroactively. It boils down to money.

Woody:balloons:

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Specializes in Urgent Care.
A 3' by 3' opening would have the potential to suck someone in if the grate was removed. They need to simply add more vents which will distribute the suction. I remember those vents as a kid, they were surprisingly strong.

The story is making a bit more sense to me, but I had initially where the little girl had freed herself and went to get help. There needs to be a massive effort to educate and fix these problems. Departments of health need to close any pool with these type of vents.

This is a new requirement in many area's, but usually just for public pools, not private. By June 2008 all commercial pools in WA state must have either two main drains properly plumbed so that if one is blocked the other will take all the water thru. This means NO suction on the one that is clogged (kid sitting on it, whatever). There are at least three other antisuction methods available depending on pool design and installation that will accomplish the same end result of immediate relief of the suction on a clogged drain. Some will even relieve the suction if BOTH are clogged.

Private pool owners should also be encouraged to make the same changes. Costs for labor and materials for most installations (even large, 100,000 gallon + pools) is normally $400-1000.

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Isn't she on TPN right now? I though that carried long-term risks of damage to the liver and that most people don't do well for years and years on TPN. It seems that if they could get her a transplant it might be better. It may not be possible in her case though. :( Poor, poor girl.

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