Skimmer safety anti entrapment covers

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An in ground pool skimmer is not a sealed suction system in a traditionally built pool. There is an air gap above the skimmer, and with the skimmer cover in place it doesn't make an airtight seal. Even if you managed to block the pool side skimmer entrance with your body, it would not create enough suction to entrap you. The skimmer basket functions as a barrier to the skimmer pipe, which is where you would have a risk of entrapment. A swimmer would have to remove the skimmer basket and perform some nifty contorsionist moves to entrap an arm or leg in the skimmer pipe. Skimmer entrapment is more likely to happen to someone working on the pool from the outside who neglects to turn off the pump before sticking an a hand down there to pull out something or feel around. Unless they are leaning over the side with their head in the water they are not at risk of drowning.

The only situation I can think of where there would be a real risk of skimmer entrapment would be if someone with a soft sided pool connects a regular pool pump and removes the strainer grid without adding a skimmer. I believe this is why newer models of these pools come with dual intake ports spread far apart.
 
Thanks, that was pretty much my thoughts too, I am now trying to find out exactly where this information is supposedly coming from.
Although he was in the pool industry, he really did not appear to be wanting to up sale us, so I'm confused over this.
 
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