In the summertime of 2002, a 7-year-old woman named Virginia Graeme Baker stepped right into a sizzling tub. Then tragedy struck. She was a powerful swimmer, a member of the neighborhood swim and dive groups—however that didn’t assist her when she turned caught within the sturdy suction of the recent tub’s drain. She was pulled underwater and trapped by a defective drain cowl and couldn’t free herself. Her mom and two males struggled to free her, however by the point they obtained her out it was too late: Graeme had died from drowning because of suction entrapment.
After her daughter’s tragic dying, Nancy Baker advocated for pool and sizzling tub drain security, ultimately working to get a security regulation invoice handed by means of Congress. Consultant Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida sponsored the laws, which was signed into legislation in 2007 by President George W. Bush. This legislation, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Security Act—referred to as the VGB Act for brief—has improved the security of swimming pool drains to assist stop future accidents just like the one which claimed the lifetime of little Virginia. Due to the Virginia Graeme Baker Act, accidents have been decreased—now you can bounce into the swimming pool with better peace of thoughts.
Photograph Credit score: Ninja Artist
The Virginia Graeme Baker Act
The VGB Act is a federal legislation that outlines what a protected drain seems like and requires all public swimming pools and spas, together with these at faculties, health facilities, and inns, to conform. Outdated drains are flat and might create sturdy circulation that may pull hair or swimming fits in, inflicting entrapment. The flat drains may create a powerful suction in the event that they get blocked by a swimmer’s physique half.
To forestall this suction and stop swimmers from getting caught, VGB compliant drain covers are curved quite than flat, making it to allow them to by no means be totally blocked. The legislation additionally requires that if a pool has a single important drain, an extra anti-entrapment gadget or system have to be put in. For instance, the one drain have to be accompanied by a system similar to a security vacuum launch or computerized pump shut off that turns off the suction or circulation if any blockage is detected. The VGB Act doesn’t regulate residential swimming pools or sizzling tubs, however it does encourage every state to cross legal guidelines to assist keep away from entrapment in residential swimming pools, together with necessities for obstacles or fencing round swimming pools to forestall drowning.
The VGB Act supplies for grants to assist state and native governments to carry swimming pools into compliance with the legislation, make updates to forestall drowning, and improve consciousness and schooling about pool security.
Swim Safer In the present day
Drowning is a number one explanation for accident-related deaths in youngsters beneath age 14. However because of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act accident, swimming pools at the moment are safer than ever. VGB compliant drains have been put in in most swimming pools throughout America in 2008 in response to the legislation and in an effort to forestall future tragedies. Swimming swimming pools must be locations for enjoyable, recreation, and train, not a hazard to our kids. With safer drain covers and anti-entrapment backup programs, drowning and entrapment accidents could be prevented.
As a result of the VGB Act doesn’t cowl residential swimming pools and spas, and since some public swimming pools might not have VGB compliant drain covers or damaged drains, it is very important take precautions round swimming swimming pools. Comply with these security pointers each time you or your youngsters go swimming:
- Ask if the swimming pool or spa is VGB compliant. If the proprietor or operator says no or doesn’t know, don’t swim or let your youngsters swim.
- Inform your youngsters to avoid all drains and filters.
- Verify to see for your self if the drain is damaged or seems flat. When you have considerations, inform the proprietor or operator and keep away from swimming.
- Tie lengthy hair again.
Swimming can and must be enjoyable for everybody. Due to the advocates who introduced us the VGB Act, safer drains and back-up programs have been put in throughout the nation to assist stop drowning. Even so, bear in mind to train warning round any physique of water to maintain you and your youngsters protected. Studying find out how to be an excellent swimmer is a vital a part of stopping drowning—and it opens a lifetime of enjoyable and train. Join a swimming class at SwimJim at the moment!
