What is stronger, a lemon or a belly?

[Arizonarob]

Dirk, I've been following this thread for a couple days, and recently was subjected to how much panic can limit ones thought process.

I experienced my own panic of chocking. There were two people in the house with me, one was preparing to leave right when I stuck a large chunk of watermelon in my mouth and started to chew, I was being called to the door to say goodbye when I thought I had chewed a sufficient enough amount to swallow, after all this watermelon was very soft. I was wrong, I ran to the sink to try and cough it up, with no success. I tried to scream to them, but no sounds were coming out. I started pounding on the countertop to get their attention. A few moments later they looked around the corner perplexed, asking me what was wrong. Not sure if I was pointing at my opened mouth or what but they did see the panic on my face. I pounded on the countertop a couple more times, and somehow rasped out a somewhat audible "I'm chocking!". Within the seconds they were rushing to me I managed to cough up the lodged watermelon.

This scared the b'geezus out of me. I do believe I was moments away from passing out. Afterwards, I was reminded of all the times I've read and watched about preforming the Heimlich maneuver on yourself. But there I was ... at an extra high countertop and because of my panic, I had forgotten what I should do. I'm putting a reminder in my calendar to a few times a year to refresh my memory on how to do it to myself, and I now know that the universal sign for chocking is to place hand on your throat and not pointing your finger to your opened mouth.

I fully understand your concern to keep your children safe, and this thread has made me more aware of the potential dangers with vacuums. THANKS!

I had the same thing happen to me, only with a piece of steak. I know the fear you speak of all to well. Only in my situation, I had to give myself the Heimlich maneuver as my wife is tiny compared to me. To this day I still cut my steak up in tiny pieces before I take my first bite!!

- - - Updated - - -

Do what wives want. Etc.

 

[Dirk]

OK, at least somebody got it!

 

[chiefwej]

York I am SO glad you are okay! That had to be scary!

Why do some people run TO the burning building and some run the other way? Different people have different reactions.

Kim

I spent my entire adult life running INTO burning buildings, and I’m still here to tell about it. Chiefwej is for Wm. E. Johnson, Fire Chief (retired). Public Safety and Risk Management are but two of my specialities.

I will repeat what I said earlier:
1. Replace any sectioned suction hose with a single piece hose that cannot come apart.
2. Use a stainless steel screw or screws to insure that the pool cleaner cannot be detached from the hose, without using a screwdriver.

These two, very simple measures reduce the chance of any incident by 90% or more. All risk can never be eliminated, but you can take a very logical approach to covering the most likely risks. A child who was determined to injure themselves, might still find a way, but there isn’t an obvious risk remaining after those two things are covered.

 

[Dirk]

I spent my entire adult life running INTO burning buildings, and I’m still here to tell about it. Chiefwej is for Wm. E. Johnson, Fire Chief (retired). Public Safety and Risk Management are but two of my specialities.

I will repeat what I said earlier:
1. Replace any sectioned suction hose with a single piece hose that cannot come apart.
2. Use a stainless steel screw or screws to insure that the pool cleaner cannot be detached from the hose, without using a screwdriver.

These two, very simple measures reduce the chance of any incident by 90% or more. All risk can never be eliminated, but you can take a very logical approach to covering the most likely risks. A child who was determined to injure themselves, might still find a way, but there isn’t an obvious risk remaining after those two things are covered.

With much respect for your service and experience...

I thought those two ideas were great, as I said. But that's not 90%, I'm afraid (not sure where we're getting these numbers! ). There's the completely unprotected hole on the underside of my Rebel, which would be a remaining, obvious risk. One that requires no disassembly to access, and the one that emanates from the heaviest component. So while a mischievous child would have to understand first that the hose can come apart in order to access that danger, the vac head itself is the most dangerous component of the system and would only require a mildly curious child to pick it up or turn it over to access the fully exposed suction port.

Your ideas will greatly reduce the risk, for sure. But not minimize it enough. Removing the hose and vac head from the pool is the sure fire way. That I would put at 90%. Remaining 10% reserved for the suction port in the wall, though covered, is still in the pool.

 

[Winnie-the-Pool]

Do what wives want. Etc.

That was funny!!!

 

[chiefwej]

Having a pool with small children or grandchildren around is in itself a risk. So unless you eliminate the pool, you do what you can to minimize and manage that risk. For example, I have a door on the rear of my house that leads out to the pool area. On that door I added a self closer, two locks, raised the latch and added an alarm. If a child does make it out the door, they will find their self on a covered patio, that I have separated from the pool with a pool rated 5 foot fence with a MagnaLatch pool gate. No, I do not keep the MagaLatch in a locked position. That is a minor risk I will accept as opposed to the inconvenience of having to use a key every time I want to go out to the pool.

Likewise, you could eliminate all risk associated with a pool cleaner by simply not having one, but at what inconvenience.

 

[Dirk]

Yes, now we're on the same page. The challenge of balancing risk and convenience and expense and usability...