Awareness of swimming pool suction injury among tour operators.
A 6 year old girl suffered rectal prolapse after being sucked onto a swimming pool drain from which the cover had been removed. After six days in hospital she made a full recovery. The severe form of this injury may result in evisceration of small bowel, short bowel syndrome, and the need for long term parenteral nutrition. A survey of travel agents revealed a low awareness of this potentially devastating hazard, and a failure on the part of some companies to take adequate responsibility for customer safety. Preventive measures are reviewed.
Davison
A
A
Dept of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Leeds, The Children's Centre, The General Infirmary at Leeds, UK.
Puntis
J W L
JW
D000059:Accidents; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D003254:Consumer Advocacy; D005260:Female; D006693:Holidays; D006801:Humans; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000209:etiology*; D012449:Safety; D013550:Swimming / Q000293:injuries; D013551:Swimming Pools / Q000592:standards*; D014195:Travel