What is a SVRS? and why do I need it?

Install an SVRS in your pool or spa for safety.
(from SafeKids Water Safety)
When a swimmer becomes stuck to a drain or suction outlet in a swimming
pool, spa, wading pool, or hot tub, the force of the circulation system can be
tremendous.
This suction force will not allow a person to free themselves, no matter how
strong a swimmer they may be. It is extremely difficult for onlookers to break
this suction by lifting the person off the drain — to do so, you would have to
be able to lift more than 500 pounds. Even several people working together
may not be able to accomplish this. This “suction entrapment” will hold the
bather in its grip until the vacuum is broken. A person held underwater in this
manner can suffer severe body or limb injury, or even death.

What is an SVRS?
A Safety Vacuum Release System — or SVRS for short — is an automatic suction
force release system. When a drain becomes blocked, the SVRS provides a rapid
vacuum release. This quickly frees anyone whose body or limb is trapped on the
drain.
An SVRS works whether or not there is a cover on the drain, and does not interfere
with the pump function. Once installed, an SVRS requires little or no maintenance.

How does a mechanical SVRS prevent entrapment?
A spring loaded piston located in the SVRS unit forms a seal to prevent air entering
the suction system during normal operation. Should a sudden rise in vacuum occur
due to an entrapment event, the piston is forced open and the air seal is broken.
Under this condition, outside air is allowed to enter the suction side of the pump
causing the pump to lose prime, thereby releasing the vacuum.

How is an SVRS installed?
A mechanical SVRS unit is easily installed, adjusted and tested with standard tools
and supplies. The SVRS unit is mounted vertically, above or off a tee installed in the
main drain suction line close to the circulation pump. Since the SVRS is an air
passageway only, the unit does not convey water, and therefore can be installed on
small or large pipe sizes. Most installations can be completed in less than 30 minutes.
An electrical SVRS unit may also be used and is installed by a licensed electrician.

I have multiple drains in my pool — do I still need an SVRS?
Having multiple drains is no assurance that someone will not become entrapped
by the suction force on one of the drains. One or more of the drain lines can become
clogged or completely obstructed by leaves, debris, towels, toys, etc. However,
the pool/spa system will appear to be functioning normally, as there is still one
functioning drain.
An SVRS provides a quick release of a person’s body or limb trapped on a drain.

What features should I look for in an SVRS?
• Easy to install (within 30 minutes). It is recommended to have a pool professional
install the SVRS.
• Self-monitoring, and low maintenance.
• Covered by a warranty of more than one year.
• Won’t damage your pump when activated.
• Meets all requirements of the International Code Council — both the
International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC).
• Meets or exceeds all the ANSI/ASME performance standards for safety vacuum
release systems.
• Constructed of non-corroding parts to ensure long life and superior performance.
Vac-AlertTM Model VA-2000 SVRS, with cutaway
showing the interior. Pictures can be found here http://www.usa.safekids.org/water/documents/SVRS.pdf


How can I learn more?
Contact Safe Kids Worldwide at
202-662-0600, or http://www.safekids.org/.

Stay safe
~~~Leslie~~~

Pool and Safety Act

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was enacted by Congress and signed by President Bush on December 19, 2007. It was enacted to prevent the tragic and hidden hazard of drain entrapments and eviscerations in pools and spas. The law became effective on December 19, 2008.The VGB Act established a federal swimming pool and spa drain cover standard to ensure pools are equipped with the proper devices. Under the law, all public pools and spas must have ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 compliant drain covers installed and a second anti-entrapment system installed, when there is only a single main drain (other than an unblockable drain) or multiple main drains less than 3 feet apart.

The CPSC is focusing on the pools and spas that pose the greatest risk of entrapment (especially those with single main drain systems and flat drain grates):Public Wading pools Kiddie pools In ground spas.

Here are some ways to help prevent drownings:

Supervise your children at all times

Learn how to swim and teach your children how

Learn CPR

Watch out for drains and suction outlets

Create barriers around your pool or spa

Install a telephone near your pool along with door alarms and pool covers

Each year many American families encounter pool tragedies – drowning and submersion incidents. These tragedies are preventable.In May 2009 the Commission released a report related to pool and spa submersion incidents involving children under 5.

Each year there are nearly 300 reported drownings involving children younger than five years old.

Each year there are about 3,000 emergency room-treated submersion injuries to children younger than five years old.

In addition, there have been 83 reported entrapment incidents reported to the CPSC from 1999 through 2008. Among these are eleven fatality reports, including the accident that ended Virginia Graeme Baker's life in 2002.CPSC staff began investigating reported incidents of pool/spa suction entrapment in the 1970s. Figures from 1999 through 2008 include:83 reported entrapments 11 fatality reports (7 residential, 4 public) 69 injury reports (38 residential, 21 public, 10 unknown location) 3 no injury reports (residential)

Types of entrapment:

Hair

Body

Limb

Evisceration/disembowelment

Mechanical: Jewelry, bathing suits

For more information on this very important Act http://www.poolsafety.gov/vgb.html

Another wonderful resource http://www.usa.safekids.org/water/index.html great info about water safety.

More water safety info to blog, stay tuned in...............

~~Leslie~~~

Smoke Alarms and your child

Raising Safe Kids: One Stage at a Time
Does Your Child Know the Sound of a Smoke Alarm?
Children younger than age 7 are more vulnerable to smoke and flames in a fire, less likely to wake up if a smoke alarm sounds while they’re sleeping and have a hard time escaping a burning home by themselves.
When children see smoke or fire, they may try to hide in a closet or under a bed. So, as soon as your children are old enough to understand, make sure they know the sound of the smoke alarm and what to do when they hear it.
Remember to make and practice a fire escape plan with your entire family. Find at least two ways out of every room and have a plan to help young children escape your home.
Q&A of the Week
Q: My children sleep very deeply. Will they wake up to the smoke alarm?
A: Sometimes children will sleep through a smoke alarm. Test your alarms at night to see if your child will wake up and respond to the alarm. If you child doesn’t wake up to the alarm, try a talking alarm that says “Fire! Fire!”
Some smoke alarms also use a recordable voice message to wake children up, instead of a traditional alarm. These devices let a parent record a personal message like, “Suzie, wake up and get out of the house right now!”
Tip of the Week
Preschool-aged children (3 years and older) can begin to learn what to do in case of a fire. Teach your little ones that the sound of a smoke alarm means go outside immediately, meet at a designated place and don’t hide from firefighters.

These are great tips from the website http://www.safekids.org/stages/index.html on smoke alarms and your children. Such a great idea to introduce your kids of all ages to what a smoke alarm is and what it sounds like. At our house we regularly change the batteries and test the smoke alarms both upstairs and down in our basement. I let the kids help me and explain to them what I am doing and why. We have a plan for fire or smoke that involves a central location that we will all meet in the front yard in case the smoke alarm sounds. My husband and I also role played with our younger kids about what the fireman would look like and sound like if he came into there room at night. It would be scary to anybody to see all that gear and air packs on some stranger in a dark smoke filled room. A trip to your local fire station helps , we went with a group on a tour and one of the firemen put on all his gear and let the kids touch and look closer at him, he explained how he was not a monster, but a community helper that was going to help them in the event their mommy or daddy could not get them out of the house.

Please talk to your kids about these very important tips and maybe it could save a life.

Should schools have the main responsibility?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/snapshot.htm?section=N&label=2009-07-14-skuldrug

Interesting poll and snapshot in USA today: "teaching teens about drug abuse, should your kids be taught this at school or do you think it is your responsibility". How honest are you with your teens about your drug and alcohool use as a teen? I made some very bad choices myself in high school and now regret them, but I use those bad choices to teach my teen and other teens about the stupid things that I did. I can not imagine the brain cells that I must have wasted on drugs and alcohol. I could have been a rocket scientist but I also could have killed someone or myself by my choices. I did make the decision to stop making bad choices after high school and went on to college, become a nurse and have a family now. Imagine my outcome if I had not stopped. How about the outcome of your teen, which do you want?? The wrong choice could mean a body bag and a funeral service. Think about it, do you want to leave the responsibility up to your teen's school to teach them about "choices"

I'll leave you thinking on that one
~~~Leslie~~