Awareness of swimming pool suction injury among tour operators

  • Davison, A
  • Puntis, J W L
Archives of Disease in Childhood 88(7):p 584-585, July 2003.

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.

Copyright © British Medical Journal 2003.
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