tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11869804203120327082024-03-15T18:09:58.527-07:00Pool AccidentsFacts, Tips, News and everything about Pool AccidentsFlorence Polizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05342215785447636498noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1186980420312032708.post-17243182614035340002011-04-12T22:01:00.000-07:002011-04-18T16:25:49.469-07:00Heart Attack While Swimming - What Are the Factors?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Swimming is good for the heart, but when age and other health issues come into play then it's a different story. Heart attack could trigger drowning which sometimes lifeguards don't seem to notice because victims would tend to go passive then submerge into the water.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGagOacTxSXrNVpNOd7Pdob2Q9ydT3RmLAM2-NG7d0zG0ND2XEomU_7ecxH76W-yXWQT3krr3WIhLEKhjG_VI7aicIgVZqaMkT7aRb55XqkEejQJIK4xd_8ZaNlMoz2XnsClM-i_pWzMM/s1600/drowning_man_by_the_psycrothic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGagOacTxSXrNVpNOd7Pdob2Q9ydT3RmLAM2-NG7d0zG0ND2XEomU_7ecxH76W-yXWQT3krr3WIhLEKhjG_VI7aicIgVZqaMkT7aRb55XqkEejQJIK4xd_8ZaNlMoz2XnsClM-i_pWzMM/s320/drowning_man_by_the_psycrothic.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">There are many factors that trigger heart attack such as stress, lifestyle, diet and so on. Here are 5 main factors that could trigger heart attack while you are in the pool waters.<br />
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<b>Age</b><br />
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Heart attack while swimming mostly happens to adults. Men and women age 50 and up have a high risk of having heart attack while swimming. Risks are higher for people with heart or blood pressure issues or family history of heart related problems.<br />
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Before you undergo a swimming or any other exercise plan, it is best that you consult a cardiologist to first know your limitations; this would lead us to number overexertion.<br />
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<b>Overexertion</b><br />
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If you're a swimming fan then probably you know Fran Crippen; a well rounded and decorated swimmer. It's quite ironic that a swimmer of Crippen's caliber died of heart attack while competing at FINA Open Water 10-kilometer World Cup at Fujairah, east of Dubai.<br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.newsfirst5.com/images/news/fran.crippen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.newsfirst5.com/images/news/fran.crippen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Yep, it's a very long swim and could take for hours so it's possible that Crippen's heart wasn't able to hold that long.<br />
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However, investigators concluded that the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/10/24/swimmer-dies-overexertion-race-uae-officials-say/">26 year-old died of "overexertion"</a> or excessive use of energy causing a rapid abnormal heart beat or also known, in medical terms, as tachycardia.<br />
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Other competitors complained of the warm water temperatures during the event that might had cause Crippen's exhaustion.<br />
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<b>Temperature</b><br />
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Our body make necessary adjustments depending on the temperature. Whether the water is too warm or cold, it would affect are circulatory system such as heart beat, blood circulation, artery contraction plus oxygen supply.<br />
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It is advisable not too beyond 2 hours to prevent body temperature adjustment failures.<br />
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<b>Pool Chemicals</b><br />
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Last time <a href="http://poolaccidents.blogspot.com/2011/03/pool-chemicals-accidents-what-went.html">I've posted</a> the risk of using pool chemicals and yes, they can also trigger heart attack. Mixed <a href="http://www.chemaxx.com/pool_chlorine_chemical.htm">chemicals can diffuse into the air</a> and can affect the breathing especially of those with heart problems.<br />
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<b>Other health issues</b><br />
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People that have blood pressure issues should have a proper swimming routine that wouldn't affect their condition. <a href="http://www.ehow.com/about_5463528_relationship-between-asthma-heart-disease.html">People with asthma</a> or other lung related problems should also be cautious.<br />
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Whether you have medical record of heart problems or none, it is advisable not to swim alone - heart attacks occur without warning. Stay in areas where the <a href="http://lifeguardandsafetyequipment.blogetery.com/">lifeguard</a> can see you.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">What to do if you feel you will have an heart attack while swimming?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Although chest pain is <a href="http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/heart/heart_attack_identifying.htm">not always a symptom of heart attack</a>, whenever you experience that burning feeling in the upper part of your body then you should stop whatever you are doing and seek attention immediately. Remember that panicking could worsen the situation. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.kpho.com/news/14695182/detail.html">Coughing doesn't prevent heart attack</a> but it would prevent you from being unconscious until help arrives. <a href="http://heartdisease.about.com/od/heartattack/f/Aspirin_MI.htm">Taking an aspirin</a> would be helpful but if it's out of your reach then let the coughing continue and, if possible, raise your arms until someone notice you.<br />
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Knowing if you have heart problems is the best way to survive a heart attack. Most people would think that just because the disease doesn't run in the family, they wouldn't bother knowing the disease and would ignore the fact that they may still become victims and the next thing they'll know is they are struggling for air in unexpected situations.<br />
</span></div>Florence Polizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05342215785447636498noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1186980420312032708.post-69577818067568109402011-04-05T22:17:00.000-07:002011-04-05T22:18:05.638-07:00Swimming Pool Electrocution - How Much Do We Know?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
Aside from the complex plot of the movie Syriana which turned movie goers into accidental researchers and also sparked a bit of controversy, what troubled me, along with other parents, is the swimming pool accident that killed Bryan Wood's (Matt Damon) son (ooops!... spoiler, sorry).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6iQyWpdZR389yQmE4QIzky7uRxvDDBlRpbh4pWoq-voNw2B0H4XZZCuy1D8MRxHgWmp-QBJTjWoV706I1X_Uffr4Azw5L06X5tuvhAarB9brho-nHHnKG_nmcI4TlbM3Z1nV8iFs6rc/s1600/syriana+pool+accident+scene.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6iQyWpdZR389yQmE4QIzky7uRxvDDBlRpbh4pWoq-voNw2B0H4XZZCuy1D8MRxHgWmp-QBJTjWoV706I1X_Uffr4Azw5L06X5tuvhAarB9brho-nHHnKG_nmcI4TlbM3Z1nV8iFs6rc/s400/syriana+pool+accident+scene.GIF" width="400" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Wood's son was electrocuted after jumping into the pool with "cracked" underwater pool lights. The tragic scene depicted raised the question if it can really happen in real life. The answer is... yes, swimming pool electrocution can happen rarely but deadly.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03125.html">U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission</a> (CPSC) has reported cases of 60 deaths due to pool electrocution and around 50 injuries due to shock from 1990-2002:<br />
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<ul><li>28 - Plugged-in radios or stereos, extension cords or power tools</li>
<li>13 - Underwater pool lights</li>
<li>10 - Pool pumps</li>
<li>9 - Sump pumps, pool vacuums or pressure washers</li>
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The small figures say "rare" but it doesn't take away the possibility that electrocution can happen in any place, in less likely situations.<br />
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In June 10, 1991, <a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CEEDC1739F932A25755C0A967958260">3 men were electrocuted at Kings Island amusement park</a> in Mason, Ohio, this time the accident happened in a pond. Although a pond is different from a pool, the accident gives the idea that electrocution can happen either in or around the pool, pond or any enclosed body of water.<br />
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Like <a href="http://poolaccidents.blogspot.com/2011/02/for-virginia-graeme-baker.html">Virgina Graeme Baker</a> who died in a pool suction entrapment accident and the basis of Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, Yasmin Paleso’o, who died of pool electrocution accident, urged state legislative measure which requires all pool owners to install ground fault interrupter (GFI) safety devices. The bill is now known as the <a href="http://psbweb.co.kern.ca.us/eh_internet/pdfs/pools/poolsHotTopic/HealthSafetyCodeRegardingPublicPools.pdf">Yasmin Paleso'o Memorial Swimming Pool Safety Law</a>.<br />
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Ground fault interrupter (GFI), don't get confused with ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) because <a href="http://www.thecircuitdetective.com/gfis.htm">they are the same thing</a> and can be used interchangeably, should be installed, by code, to protect persons against electric shock, in or around pools, ponds, bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages and other places where water or moisture could cause problems.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.iaei.org/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/09c_loflandfig1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.iaei.org/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/09c_loflandfig1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Photo Courtesy of</i> <a href="http://www.iaei.org/magazine/2009/06/gfcis-and-swimming-pools-a-natural-fit/">IAEI Mag</a></div><br />
A GFI would trip at at 5 mA to protect a swimmer in contact with the circuit from lethal shock. GFI should always be checked regularly and be replaced whenever necessary.<br />
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Going back to the movie, we should first understand that a person should be in the middle of the electricity and the ground, in simpler explanation electricity would find its way to the ground and if a you are in the "path" then, you would "alter" the ground.<br />
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Also, wires are installed parallel to the pool walls that's why there's a chance of the boy <a href="http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~p616/safety/fatal_current.html">being electrocuted</a> if he jumped near the faulty wires or if he was holding some kind of metal object. The Syriana pool accident scene is possible is not impossible but very unlikely to happen in reality.<br />
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But thank you to that tragic scene, we have discussed the importance of proper wiring in the pool, pond and so on. Unfortunately, some countries are not aware of the Yasmin Paleso'o Memorial Swimming Pool Safety Law and don't understand the use of GFI.<br />
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Hopefully, with this post, every pool owner would be urged to maintain proper wiring and use GFI for maximu safety.<br />
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<i>Special thanks to our good friends at <a href="http://ask.metafilter.com/53620/Electrocution-in-a-pool">Metafilter</a> and <a href="http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=361621">The Straight Dope</a></i><br />
</span></div>Florence Polizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05342215785447636498noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1186980420312032708.post-33569363847399491632011-04-04T17:21:00.000-07:002011-04-04T17:24:05.119-07:00Update: Toddler Dies After Swimming Pool Accident<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">A sad news from <a href="http://www.palmbeachpost.com/">The Palm Beach Post</a> headlined Sunday evening about a toddler who accidentally fell into the pool. The boy was taken to Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee, said Capt. Don DeLucia, spokesman with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. He was listed in critical condition at 2 hours after the accident but was reported that he passed away Monday morning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R1n2FjsCzpi5FjmtG51OzBfFeAbtfdo9WOoL0VTsLpjxT_k4Z8Z0zkL6vSlWYBfXYm9vhI0LngH0RME3Y0iPMV8oWvB66F9DMwS-LNXQLfblG9W3QWG0VWrk68gimAWIddlHH8i6Fps/s1600/Toddler+Drowns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="19-month-old boy drowns in family's swimming pool" border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R1n2FjsCzpi5FjmtG51OzBfFeAbtfdo9WOoL0VTsLpjxT_k4Z8Z0zkL6vSlWYBfXYm9vhI0LngH0RME3Y0iPMV8oWvB66F9DMwS-LNXQLfblG9W3QWG0VWrk68gimAWIddlHH8i6Fps/s400/Toddler+Drowns.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Authorities have not released the name of the father or the toddler but some suggests that the father should be charged because of the accident.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
This kind of news is not new and there are unrecorded pool accidents out there reminding us that swimming pools are "not exactly" for children.<br />
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There's a lot of circumstances that triggered the drowning to happen and I'm sure there's a lot of speculations but we are not certain if the father should be sued or not.<br />
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I hope this pool accident would urge the parents to install <a href="http://lifeguardandsafetyequipment.blogetery.com/">safety equipment</a> around their swimming pool to prevent the sudden loss of young lives.</span></div>Florence Polizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05342215785447636498noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1186980420312032708.post-76390517951500169622011-03-31T22:50:00.000-07:002011-04-05T18:26:13.432-07:0010 Shocking Swimming Pool Deaths You Might Not Know<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">You might have heard them on the news or have read them in other horrifying or unusual deaths lists. Some of them are controversial knowing that famous people are involve, some of them remain a mystery and some of them have shocked the music industry, the tech community, the sports fans, the movie lovers and even the politicians. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKM3DLOMMX4YwuXBfsV2OoT_taqU-Ngd-MxjNEqTyNHM5ggMVcPNmYNATtg18YppD9Upokpfxty4U5xbRE7bNbWt88gY_j6TTFSNcZLsIhLUqtYcIQbdjHVJ7NQ-URUMblldiAu0QAP0/s1600/diving+into+pool+after+death.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKM3DLOMMX4YwuXBfsV2OoT_taqU-Ngd-MxjNEqTyNHM5ggMVcPNmYNATtg18YppD9Upokpfxty4U5xbRE7bNbWt88gY_j6TTFSNcZLsIhLUqtYcIQbdjHVJ7NQ-URUMblldiAu0QAP0/s400/diving+into+pool+after+death.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">I would love to include all the shocking swimming pool deaths I have gathered through my research but I've decided to pick the ones that are "sensational" enough to enable me to come up (hopefully) with an interesting list.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Without further adieu, here is the list of 10 shocking swimming pool deaths you might not know, in no particular order.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
<b>Erika Tomanu</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Listed as one of the <a href="http://factoidz.com/the-most-horrifying-deaths-ever/">horrifying deaths ever</a>, the death of 7 year-old Erika Tomanu in 2006 warns us that water parks are not that safe. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Tomanu died when she was sucked head first 10 meters down the intake pipe by the powerful pump of the water park's current pool in Saitama, Japan. Despite of the grille not covering the inlet when it came off, lifeguards considered the pool safe to swim. It took 6 agonizing hours for the rescuers to recover the little girl's lifeless body.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b>Brian Jones</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOg45tcQU7CGZLhZVJ7T7qkDzAAFKU8_K5xnQ_hvPkxZ7pq0yR7IKqs4IJNO4pZROb5OsV4-a3NaZ9sXdO7J73Ygom7ZD1OdUmLHXJlci6oEEWkmidzcXyrBFkkEBz0Sh2dyZ1iGgY2dE/s320/Brian+Jones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOg45tcQU7CGZLhZVJ7T7qkDzAAFKU8_K5xnQ_hvPkxZ7pq0yR7IKqs4IJNO4pZROb5OsV4-a3NaZ9sXdO7J73Ygom7ZD1OdUmLHXJlci6oEEWkmidzcXyrBFkkEBz0Sh2dyZ1iGgY2dE/s400/Brian+Jones.jpg" width="357" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">There would have been no Rolling Stones if there was no Brian Jones.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">At the young age of 27, Jones was found motionless at the bottom of his swimming pool in in Hartfield, Sussex, England around midnight of July 2-3. His Swedish girlfriend, Anna Wohlin, claimed that he still has a pulse when they pulled him out of the pool. However, he was pronounced dead when the doctors arrived.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Theories about his sudden death surfaced up; some believed it was accidental, some believed it was suicide and some believed it was murder. The coroner’s report concludes that drugs and alcohol contributed to his death therefore it could have been suicidal because of his departure from the band after a second arrest for possession of marijuana. But his friends and other witnesses stated that he was happy and excited about his future plans.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">In 1999, Wohlin threw allegations against Frank Thorogood, a builder who was renovating the house the night Jones died, who she claimed her boyfriend's murderer.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b>DJ K-Swift </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://fiftyonefiftyone.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/kswift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://fiftyonefiftyone.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/kswift.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">The morning of July 21, 2008 shocked Baltimore when one of its popular DJs died because of a swimming pool accident at her home.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">DJ K-Swift, whose real name was Khia Edgerton, had been a DJ at the young age of 11 and began working for Baltimore radio station Radio One 92Q when she was only 18. Reports claimed that Edgerton hosted a pool party on Sunday July 20, about 7 people were present in the pool who pulled Edgerton out of the water when she did not surface up after jumping into her above ground pool.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Medics tried to revive her for 14 minutes but was pronounced dead arriving at Good Samaritan Hospital, she was 29.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b>James Mason</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvpmx89VCoIz1Yx4SLt5_C2RzVJHt1Moi-iyBeR8agVh7DGn7Cv64SiMCRIj5PAoMgLn4Q3Bap648I189c8367cJmXOV8Jstk52p24gQCPtG61n_zL2j2RcvmgZBZd8fmO4-DBK6shQ8/s400/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvpmx89VCoIz1Yx4SLt5_C2RzVJHt1Moi-iyBeR8agVh7DGn7Cv64SiMCRIj5PAoMgLn4Q3Bap648I189c8367cJmXOV8Jstk52p24gQCPtG61n_zL2j2RcvmgZBZd8fmO4-DBK6shQ8/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">In June, 2008, a video showing an old man being pulled by his wife into the swimming pool caught the public's attention not because of the delightful scene but because of its horrific ending that led to the old man's death.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">The old man was James Mason, 73, and her wife was Christine Newton-John, 41. The videotape showed how Christine tried to prevent James from getting out of the pool 43 times. It was reported that Christine exercised her husband to death in a public swimming pool. The 100 minute video also showed how Christine abused her husband in the pool.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">James Mason died from heart attack and investigation revealed that <a href="http://www2.counton2.com/news/2009/feb/17/woman_forces_her_elderly_husband_to_exercise_to_de-ar-546160/">Christine Newton-John was really a man named John Vallandingham</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b>Ishmeet Singh Sodhi</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdclfnQgeuosPun5BU5QIqchT7mTbxdyIaF0Mo5toS8i6076ApD1gI83hfznMQJbNF_gm7ngce_JQesydOEXzN-YSywZpn5pqasE0Us4t2IlnYTvz1UQVEdpfBE9QP_qTKsD-ndbZ9gdHe/s400/ISHMeet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdclfnQgeuosPun5BU5QIqchT7mTbxdyIaF0Mo5toS8i6076ApD1gI83hfznMQJbNF_gm7ngce_JQesydOEXzN-YSywZpn5pqasE0Us4t2IlnYTvz1UQVEdpfBE9QP_qTKsD-ndbZ9gdHe/s400/ISHMeet.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">In 2007, Amul STAR Voice of India crowned one of its youngest winners; Ishmeet Singh Sodhi. And when Sodhi was about to make his own name in the Indian entertainment industry, the unexpected happened. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">In July 2008, Singh, winner of Amul STAR Voice of India 2007, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Sodhi went on a visit to the Maldives along with fellow contestants Sumitra and Vyom Ishmeet went to Maldives for a concert be held on August 1, 2008. 2 days before the concert, he was found lifeless in the swimming pool of the Chaaya Island Dhonveli resort in Male where he was staying. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">The family believed that the 19 year-old rising star didn't simply drowned but was actually murdered because of "unexplained" head injuries found. They even listed the reasons why on the <a href="http://www.ishmeetsinghfoundation.org/">Ishmeet Singh Foundation website</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b>Jim Hodder</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrNGn3tzTz94hflxjlj5yW9DrdMMPnROt5JnbQgbwpjfi2QYrv1EU_2hg0HZ2V1tEK6RJ0fApOiVxe7UR4kGZjeranLY-lRx9y4Vb5RKj3Vif6Nx8wCJskFuYLzUFC3f8E5ylMRBu_zTy/s400/blogjimhodder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrNGn3tzTz94hflxjlj5yW9DrdMMPnROt5JnbQgbwpjfi2QYrv1EU_2hg0HZ2V1tEK6RJ0fApOiVxe7UR4kGZjeranLY-lRx9y4Vb5RKj3Vif6Nx8wCJskFuYLzUFC3f8E5ylMRBu_zTy/s400/blogjimhodder.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Named by the Rolling Stone as "the perfect musical antiheroes for the Seventies," Steely Dan was in the middle of hiatus when it was reported that their drummer will never come back to play with them. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">In June 1981, Walter Becker Becker and Donald Fagen announced the hiatus of their partnership leaving other band members no choice but to part ways. Steely Dan was losing their glamor when news about Jim Hodder's death shocked the music industry in June 5, 1990, 3 years before the band's reunion.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Hodder drowned in his swimming pool in North Carolina, he was 42.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b>Thomas E. Mees </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://images.wikia.com/icehockey/images/4/4c/Mees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.wikia.com/icehockey/images/4/4c/Mees.jpg" width="325" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">For ice hockey fans of the 1980's, the sport is not complete without the iconic voice of Tom Mees. His name became a household term until his death in August 14, 1996</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">From being a sports director at WILM-AM in Wilmington, Delaware, Mees became the lead anchor on SportsCenter from 1979 to 1987. He is considered as the one of the people who pushed Frozen Four (NCAA Hockey's championship tounrnament) into its national status we know today.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">It was reported that Mees, who didn't know how to swim, drowned after saving his daughter, Gabrielle, but then police claimed that the account could not be confirmed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">He was inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 2005.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b>Joe Flynn</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://image1.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2009/267/1533_125393124819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://image1.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2009/267/1533_125393124819.jpg" width="332" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Known as Capt. Binghamton on TV sitcom McHale's Navy, Joe Flynn was also a voice actor for several Disney films.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Flynn was a ventriloquist and radio disc jockey before he entered the showbiz limelight. He had made several appearances in Batman before landing on Walt Disney film comedies. And after the completion of his voiceover work for the Disney animated feature, The Rescuers (1977), on July 19, 1974, Flynn was found dead at the bottom of the swimming pool of his Beverly Hills home by family members.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Reports stated that the cast on his broken leg made him submerge quickly and some believed he suffered a heart attack therefore no foul play was involved.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b>Rajeev Motwani</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://sajablogs.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451dd1469e2011570cc903e970b-320wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://sajablogs.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451dd1469e2011570cc903e970b-320wi" width="266" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Before Google made its domination, a certain Rajeev Motwani at Stanford University mentored Larry Page and Sergey Brin collectively known as the "Google Boys."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Born in Jammu to a Hindu Sindhi family, Motwani grew up in New Delhi and went to St Columba's School. Under the supervision of Richard Karp, he got his Ph.D. in Computer Science from U.C. Berkeley in 1988 and went to Stanford where he met the would then Google Boys.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">In June 5, 2009, the <a href="http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-06-08/news/28448623_1_rajeev-motwani-larry-page-google">tech community lost one of its greatest achievers</a> when Motwani was found lifeless in the swimming pool of his Palo Alto in Atherton, California. No foul play was recorded and the tests revealed that Motwani had a blood-alcohol level of 0.26 percent.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">The Google boys paid tribute to their great mentor and stated that; "Today, whenever you use a piece of technology, there is a good chance a little bit of Rajeev Motwani is behind it."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b>Abigail Rose Taylor</b></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://image1.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2008/80/25429273_120613166228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://image1.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2008/80/25429273_120613166228.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Every unusual deaths lists has her name and her case moved the US federal legislation to improve swimming pool safety.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Abigail Taylor was rushed to the hospital when a powerful swimming pool drain, where she unfortunately fell, partially sucked out large section of her small intestine through her rectum on June 29, 2007 at Minneapolis Golf Club in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">In an effort to save her life, her intestines liver, and pancreas were replaced with donor organs but she later on developed a rare transplant-related cancer. And in March 20, 2008, she succumbed to cancer at the age of 7, 9 months after the pool accident and 9 months before <a href="http://poolaccidents.blogspot.com/2011/02/for-virginia-graeme-baker.html">Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act became effective</a>.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">The family sued both the golf club and Sta-rite; the manufacturer of the pool drain and a division of Minnesota-based Pentair.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Special thanks to: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/">Wikipedia</a>, <a href="http://listverse.com/">ListVerse</a>, <a href="http://www.blindloop.com/i">BlindLoop</a>, <a href="http://www.ranker.com/">Ranker</a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div>Florence Polizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05342215785447636498noreply@blogger.com130tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1186980420312032708.post-59007440793941334942011-03-22T23:25:00.000-07:002011-04-05T18:27:00.084-07:008 Signs a Public Pool is Not Safe for Children<div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">A public swimming pool is a child's paradise; there a child can play and socialize with other children, make friends and treasure the memories. However, public pools are not safe from accidents. About 19% of downing accidents involving children that led to death occur in public pools even with attending lifeguards. <br />
<br />
Public pools are not all the same, some are safe for your children and some are not.<br />
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So, how would you know if a public pool is safe enough for your child?<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHm_TO3LdQ4qjIsqXLoBB9ixciMPwH08SRgYlOaLc_AQPrhqz5J8ckgNKWL7YKe-zZclm42ops9K0q7C0ygD8Uxzlh82wOmr2SGj44I-IiRHUrF_tQGfZ2ipC8f9ct_3twR-pYCUKOLk/s1600/crowded-pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHm_TO3LdQ4qjIsqXLoBB9ixciMPwH08SRgYlOaLc_AQPrhqz5J8ckgNKWL7YKe-zZclm42ops9K0q7C0ygD8Uxzlh82wOmr2SGj44I-IiRHUrF_tQGfZ2ipC8f9ct_3twR-pYCUKOLk/s400/crowded-pool.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"></span></div><a name='more'></a>Here are 8 signs a public pool is not safe for children:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"> <br />
<b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">No lifeguard</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> Although it's not the lifeguard's full responsibility to supervise your child, having someone that has enough pool safety knowledge and the authority to get everybody out of the swimming pool if ever an accident happen gives peace of mind to all swimmers.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">No first aid or rescue equipment</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> Having a lifeguard is not enough. Children could get cuts, wounds or bruises and first aid kit should come in handy. Rescue equipment would be very much need during worst case scenarios that's why they should always be at the lifeguard's side.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">No pool safety rules and warning signs</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviMJSEKS5jXzNNeHmOwRiBV_rd1N5bRVbvM0s01Vc_wWukF9UNsGKiS7kxZx4d2l29trnhgKxQSLZ3GO6zvgUtBNRn_-3Teoq1Cn_qoB2LN3RoBR32vu0GUQrNdG7xBY-w5E0J_gUL2Q/s1600/pool+warning+signs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviMJSEKS5jXzNNeHmOwRiBV_rd1N5bRVbvM0s01Vc_wWukF9UNsGKiS7kxZx4d2l29trnhgKxQSLZ3GO6zvgUtBNRn_-3Teoq1Cn_qoB2LN3RoBR32vu0GUQrNdG7xBY-w5E0J_gUL2Q/s320/pool+warning+signs.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="316" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> Pool safety rules should be clearly viewed as well as the warning signs and water depth indicators, if they are not present in your chosen public pool then better think twice.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Dirty swimming pools</b><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> If you could clearly see the bottom drain or the pool floor then the pool is safe enough for your child. If the water is cloudy or murky chances are the pool has water quality issues that might be harmful to children's health.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Strong pool chemical odor</b><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> Pool chemicals such as chlorine is important for pool sanitation, however, if they are not managed properly chances are children are at risk especially those with asthma or other respiratory problem. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> In July 19, 2010, KTLA.com reported that </span><a href="http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-arcadia-pool-hazmat-chlorine,0,707547.story" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">17 people including 10 children were rushed to the hospital</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> because of a pool chemical accident in Arcadia. Lt. Bob Anderson concluded that the cause was excessive release of pool chlorine.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> Strong chemical odor is a sign of excessive pool chemicals.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">The minimum pool depth is above 4 feet</b><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1033/4723952571_55f8bfcdac_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1033/4723952571_55f8bfcdac_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">A children's pool should be from 0.3 to 1.2 m (1.0 to 4 ft) deep, if the public pool doesn't comply with the right depth then consider your options. It is better if the public pool has a swimming pool exclusive for kids.<br />
<br />
<b>Drain covers don't comply to the new VGB Act</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iblp0VN0Y1D_f-zn1gTvbAlB7AqZVrOMQbnKHTGzk96Bt71Bv6y3JpnHxMl_UbTJ-v7GjLrb_5kWz7olHjlVjwTkTEiiPmDboRB_ztgUQhKwkStIv2u3aIcJtqVKOr1T4fXRvHJmjx8/s1600/vgb+act.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iblp0VN0Y1D_f-zn1gTvbAlB7AqZVrOMQbnKHTGzk96Bt71Bv6y3JpnHxMl_UbTJ-v7GjLrb_5kWz7olHjlVjwTkTEiiPmDboRB_ztgUQhKwkStIv2u3aIcJtqVKOr1T4fXRvHJmjx8/s1600/vgb+act.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">The <a href="http://poolaccidents.blogspot.com/2011/02/for-virginia-graeme-baker.html">Virginia Graeme Baker</a> act states that public pools that have either single or multiple drains should have entrapment drain covers that must comply with ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 performance standard. You should ask the swimming pool administrator to check if their drains comply with VGB act to maximize pool safety.<br />
<br />
<b>The pool area is too slippery</b><br />
<br />
Swimming pool decks made of tiles, natural stone and concrete are usually slippery when wet and can injure a running or even walking child. Some public pools treat their pool decks to make them safer for children.<br />
<br />
It is best to ask first the public pool administration about the safety of their swimming pools before letting your child plunge into the pool waters. Always supervise your children on whatever you do and wherever they go and have a safe pool experience.</span></div>Florence Polizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05342215785447636498noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1186980420312032708.post-43833069814124077322011-03-21T18:08:00.000-07:002011-03-23T00:00:06.424-07:00Diving Accidents Fast Facts<div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Aside from drowning, another serious accident that can happen in a swimming pool is diving. Although the common outcome of diving accidents are head, neck and back injuries, there are cases of diving accidents where the victim go unconscious, <a href="http://lifeguardandsafetyequipment.blogetery.com/2011/03/15/how-to-save-a-submerged-victim-using-a-rescue-tube-explained/">submerge in the water</a> and drown.<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiopLVVABapfEGpBuQjmGVorOGssr7-OrsatB6mPmMYmnKxbJN0FsdWvtq2r9vFp2oKAxMPdeBRhReHuxB6zDaamXDdGSvzcx6-H6djbR72hirEbKiKpBpKO5z6KL0KzlNA_SlEhRAqts/s1600/child+diving.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiopLVVABapfEGpBuQjmGVorOGssr7-OrsatB6mPmMYmnKxbJN0FsdWvtq2r9vFp2oKAxMPdeBRhReHuxB6zDaamXDdGSvzcx6-H6djbR72hirEbKiKpBpKO5z6KL0KzlNA_SlEhRAqts/s400/child+diving.bmp" width="400" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b></b></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b>What the statistics say</b><br />
</span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">6,500 adolescents a year are brought to the hospital because of diving-related injuries</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">
<li>64% of injuries happened in inground swimming pools while 36% occurred in above ground pools</li>
<li>Almost half of these injuries take place during a swimming pool party where alcohol or sometimes drugs are involved.</li>
<li>80% of injuries occurred in shallow water of 4 feet or 1.2 meters or less</li>
</span></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><b>Causes of injuries</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>70% - headfirst dives</li>
<li>18% - jumps or cannonballs</li>
<li>12% - flips or handstands</li>
</ul><br />
58% of injuries are cuts and bruises mostly from hitting the diving board or platform and even the professionals can fall victims.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beardface.com/files/news_images/diving%20accident.preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://www.beardface.com/files/news_images/diving%20accident.preview.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Blame it on the diving board?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
The tempting look of the diving board makes it easy for some people to point the finger at it as the cause of a diving accident.This is a common misconception.<br />
<br />
Spinal Cord Injury Information Network and the University of Alabama at Birmingham concluded that less than 10% of all swimming pool diving injuries involve a diving board. As long as the diving board is properly installed on the proper pool area, well maintained and supervised, there's a lower risk of diving accidents.<br />
<br />
A diving board can even "tell" the swimmers of the deep part of the pool where it is safe to dive and prevent swimmers from making contact with the pool's edge that can cause injury. It also warns the children about the possible danger of the pool's deep-end part. <br />
<br />
<b>How to prevent pool diving accidents</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westsidepool.com/sitebuilder/images/no_diving_4-282x461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.westsidepool.com/sitebuilder/images/no_diving_4-282x461.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><br />
Studies shows that in 10 diving accidents 8 of them happened in a swimming pool that has no warning signs. <br />
<br />
However, swimmers, mostly males, would ignore such warning signs especially if other swimmers are diving into the pool. This is where social factors come into play.<br />
<br />
Supervision is the best way to prevent diving accidents the fact that 9 of 10 cases don't have a lifeguard on duty.<br />
<br />
For pool owners, it is very important to clearly mark the depth of the pool and install the diving board at the correct place; for 1 meter springboard it is recommended to place it at 11 feet pool depth and for 3 meters board, 13 feet depth is the minimum.<br />
<br />
Proper pool lighting should not be compromised especially during pool parties.<br />
<br />
For pool users, be familiar with the pool first before diving. A poorly lit pool has greater risk of diving accidents.<br />
<br />
Don't drink and dive and comply with the warning or the <a href="http://lifeguardandsafetyequipment.blogetery.com/2011/03/10/lifeguard-whistle-blasts-what-do-they-mean/">lifeguard's whistle blast</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Sources:</i> <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Healthday/story?id=5510113&page=1">ABC News</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=21422">Spinal Cord Injury Information Center</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.visualexpert.com/Resources/divingaccidents.html">Visual Expert</a></div></span></div>Florence Polizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05342215785447636498noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1186980420312032708.post-71396557512444797392011-03-15T20:51:00.000-07:002011-03-23T00:00:41.218-07:00How to Survive an Earthquake if You're in the Swimming Pool<div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">My sympathy to the victims of the recent Japan earthquake that triggered a devastating tsunami... <br />
<br />
Japan has helped many countries that experienced disasters including the U.S. after Hurricane Katrina, now it's time to return the favor. You can <a href="http://au.news.yahoo.com/japan-tsunami/a/-/article/8999354/donate-for-japan">donate for Japan</a> and help the victims especially the children experiencing the tough situations.<br />
<br />
Upon browsing the web news about the earthquake and the tsunami, I bumped into this video and made me wonder; what if I'm in a pool and an earthquake occurs?</span><br />
<br />
<center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><object height="288" width="470"><param name="movie" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" value="http://www.king5.com/v/?i=117949514" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.king5.com/v/?i=117949514" AllowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" height="288" wmode="transparent" width="470"></embed></object></span></center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a name='more'></a>The video is from <a href="http://www.king5.com/">King5.com</a> taken by <a href="http://www.cnn.com/">CNN</a> i-Reporter Yoshi Ikeda at a U.S. naval base during the earthquake. <br />
<br />
The earthquake's intensity caused the pool water to slosh back and forth then finally spill over its basin. This phenomenon is known as a "seiche" (pronounced sash). Note that seiche can occur in your pool even if the earthquake is below magnitude 9.<br />
<br />
So, what would you do once you and your loved ones are caught in a worst case scenario?<br />
<br />
<b>Get out from the pool quickly</b><br />
<br />
Once you feel that the pool water moves back and forth stronger than the usual and you doubt the pool pump is responsible, get out of the water as quick as you can and alert the other swimmers. Signal the lifeguard (in case he doesn't notice the unusual shaking yet) to warn everyone <a href="http://lifeguardandsafetyequipment.blogetery.com/2011/03/10/lifeguard-whistle-blasts-what-do-they-mean/">to clear the pool</a>. Grab your children out of the water and stay calm. <br />
<br />
<b>Don't stay in the pool area</b><br />
<br />
Whether its outdoor or indoor swimming pool, stay away from the pool area. As I've written above, a seiche may occur no matter the magnitude and can be devastating.<br />
<br />
<b>Go to an open area</b><br />
<br />
Don't go or inside your house or in your car, it's too risky. Find an open area away from buildings, trees and posts. Stay there.<br />
<br />
<b>Protect yourself</b><br />
<br />
Stay down and low, cover your head and wait for the shaking to stop. If you're home or the public swimming pool is near the ocean and the ground is trembling progressively within 20 seconds or more, evacuate to a higher ground as a tsunami can arise.</span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Earthquake and water don't go well together and can lead to a disaster that may occur anytime, sometimes when you least expecting it. Knowing what to do during a natural calamity is very important that's why it's best that you have the initiative to read some survival tips before the worst case scenario strikes.<br />
<br />
</span></div>Florence Polizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05342215785447636498noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1186980420312032708.post-87453738528653495012011-03-10T21:32:00.000-08:002011-03-23T00:01:15.077-07:00The Truth About Pool Covers<div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-12690909">According to Child Accident Prevention Jersey</a> (CAPJ), aside from its two public swimming pools, there are about 1,000 outdoor domestic swimming pools in Jersey. Their records show that there’s an average of one child drowning/near drowning in every home pools annually and children aged 5 and under are most at risk.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Q-UGZiVzYCg/RzJylD0MQyI/AAAAAAAADk8/JLyg9ZApKl4/IMG_4068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Q-UGZiVzYCg/RzJylD0MQyI/AAAAAAAADk8/JLyg9ZApKl4/IMG_4068.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">With an advocate to prevent drowning, CAPJ now aims to educate more pool owners about swimming pool safety and their first step is to gather endorsements for its new safety code – <a href="http://www.cap.je/Near-Water/Swimming-Pools-&-Ponds/">Home Swimming Pool Safety Code</a>.<br />
<br />
Louise Hamilton, CAPJ coordinator, said: "Water is very enticing to young children and pool covers are an additional hazard - children trying to walk on a cover can fall under them and cause a delayed rescue because the child cannot be seen." <br />
<br />
Wait… Pool covers are an additional hazard? They are meant to prevent drowning, right? Or maybe not exactly…<br />
<br />
A tragic pool accident happened in July 19 last year somehow agrees that pool cover might not exactly protect a child from drowning. <br />
<br />
Two-year old twins named Angelina and Veronica Andreottola drowned in their swimming pool after one of them accidentally pushed the switch that partially opened the pool’s electric-powered retractable cover. Their bodies were found under the pool cover.<br />
<br />
So, pool covers, especially the electric-powered retractable ones, are not to be trusted?<br />
<br />
Not exactly.<br />
<br />
Although we can quickly conclude that pool covers are meant to cover the pool and prevent drowning, not all pool covers are the same.<br />
<br />
There are three types of pool cover such as winter pool cover, solar pool cover and safety pool cover. The latter obviously is the most appropriate one.</span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33cyEzoOExkKGavD0O-cakC0erSsxS6SLaTTFE9LIig1TuZ70JBEySHrG7941Tz_uHkbXx6eDU9SLQK6LgtD17Q6MolwiJtutQUtRPCcAstdA0IchIvxTYUtb-VWOaXz6mw8BGmfyWro/s1600/pool+cover+family.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33cyEzoOExkKGavD0O-cakC0erSsxS6SLaTTFE9LIig1TuZ70JBEySHrG7941Tz_uHkbXx6eDU9SLQK6LgtD17Q6MolwiJtutQUtRPCcAstdA0IchIvxTYUtb-VWOaXz6mw8BGmfyWro/s400/pool+cover+family.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
Many pool owners make a big mistake of purchasing an “ordinary” pool cover thinking that they will protect their swimming pool from debris and at the same time protect their loved ones from drowning. Some pool covers are not that thick to support a child’s weight and some can cause accidental slip that may result to drowning or head injury.<br />
<br />
Pool owners should also do their part of choosing the right pool cover appropriate for a child’s age and keeping the safety pool cover securely installed.<br />
<br />
</span></div>Florence Polizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05342215785447636498noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1186980420312032708.post-75359053882601758762011-03-03T17:22:00.000-08:002011-03-15T20:54:59.634-07:00Pool Chemicals Accidents - What Went Wrong?<div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
A pool accident in Sumter, SC sent the Headmaster of Wilson Hall, a college preparatory school, to the hospital. No, this is not another case of drowning.<br />
<br />
A report from <a href="http://wisttv.com/">WistTv.com</a> says that Head Master Fred Moulton was preparing his swimming pool for use when the accident happened. According to Assistant Head Master Ed Talley, Moulton was mixing pool chemicals outside his pool Friday afternoon when the chemicals suddenly exploded burning his face and clothes sending him to Augusta Burn Center.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://wistv.images.worldnow.com/images/14163561_BG1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://wistv.images.worldnow.com/images/14163561_BG1.JPG" width="160" /></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
Moulton is now recovering from burns he received on the right side of his body and expected to be released from the hospital on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
The details about the pool chemicals he mixed were not mentioned.<br />
<br />
This news reminds me of another pool chemical accident I've read from <a href="http://azcentral.com/">AzCentral.com</a> way back in May 2008. The incident happened Monday also in the afternoon.<br />
<br />
The Mesa Fire Deputy Chief Mike Dunn detailed that the unnamed man was mixing a concoction of four pounds of powered algaecide with several one pound bags of granular chlorine all in a five-found bucket. This might caused the chemicals to react explode and burn the man's head, arms, torso and legs.<br />
<br />
The man managed to call 911 and when the Chandler firefighters arrived they quickly grabbed the garden hose and sprayed water to the man to remove the toxic materials off him and was taken to Maricopa Medical Center. <br />
<br />
The question here now is; what went wrong? <br />
<br />
An investigation conducted by <a href="http://www.chemaxx.com/">Chemaxx</a> shows that pool chemicals are either made of calcium hypochlorite or Ca(OCI)<span class="sub" style="font-size: 9px;">2</span> and Trichloro-s-trizinetrione or Trichlor. These 2 compounds are both sold in a form of pool chlorine, the problem is... they are incompatible that pool owners consider them to be the same pool chemical product. <br />
<br />
Incompatible compounds should never be mixed because it can cause some chemical reactions that may result to explosion. It is quite intriguing to know that some pool chemical companies sell these two incompatible chemicals under the same brand. <br />
<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.chemaxx.com/images/walmart29a-Blue-Green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://www.chemaxx.com/images/walmart29a-Blue-Green.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><i>Photo courtesy of Chemaxx</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
<br />
So how do you deal with pool chemical mixing? <br />
<br />
Always check the labels if the two chemicals are present upon buying pool chemicals. You can also contact the manufacturer or a pool maintenance professional.<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://media.silive.com/southshore/photo/p1-shockjpg-892077e9c0402a35_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://media.silive.com/southshore/photo/p1-shockjpg-892077e9c0402a35_large.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
Never ever mix pool chemicals that are of different compounds such as algaecides and chlorine. Also, most pool owners make a mistake of adding water to pool chemicals, it should be the other way around; add chemicals to water instead. <br />
<br />
To maximize safety, wearing goggles, gloves and other safety equipment when mixing pool chemicals is strongly recommended. <br />
<br />
In case of an accident quickly spray yourself with water just like what the Chandler firefighters did. <br />
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It also recommended not to mix chemicals in the house. And don't compromise storage, pool chemicals should be kept in sealed containers and should be placed in a well-ventilated exterior shed away from children's reach. <br />
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Pool chemicals manufacturers should also do their part such as lowering the amount of calcium hypochlorite in their products, not selling products of different chemicals side-by side and make it visible enough for the customers to see the chemical contents of their products. <br />
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</div>Florence Polizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05342215785447636498noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1186980420312032708.post-63031558295298528702011-03-01T17:56:00.000-08:002011-03-23T00:02:02.611-07:00How Gender Plays a Big Part on Drowning<div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Every year, around 140,000 deaths due to drowning around the world are recorded. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://thebadmomsclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Drowning-doesnt-look-like-drowning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://thebadmomsclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Drowning-doesnt-look-like-drowning.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Although age is the common factor that contributes drowning, studies reveal that gender plays a big role too.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">In the US, studies of <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> show that males are 4 times more likely to drown than females. <br />
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This probably has something to do with behavior such as males have greater tendency to try to impress others, would ignore advice and swim more often than females. <br />
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The Australia’s National Coastal Safety Report corresponds to this as their statistics showed that <a href="http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/men-nine-times-more-likely-to-drown-on-australian-coast-than-women_100258311.html">men are nine times more likely to drown on Australian coast than women</a>. Aside from disobeying the advice not to swim between the flags, one of the common reasons is alcohol intoxication.<br />
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However, the biological aspect also plays a considerable role on why females are less likely to drown. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4743110510_6a60336aae_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4743110510_6a60336aae_z.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br />
Females physically have a <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/371631-why-do-women-have-more-body-fat-than-men/">greater percentage of body fat</a> enabling them to naturally float on their back easily while in the water. Males, on the other hand, probably because they have a higher bone mass percentage, have to struggle to stay afloat and could lead to drowning due to tiredness. </span></div>Florence Polizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05342215785447636498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1186980420312032708.post-74690685017879590392011-02-24T21:28:00.000-08:002011-04-05T18:25:09.422-07:00For Virginia Graeme Baker<div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">The case of Virginia Graeme Baker is one of the most horrific and "sensational" swimming pool accidents which remind us that if we compromise safety, the fun place that we know can bring us nightmares.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">The tragic death of Graeme (pronounced as Graham), as her family called her, caught the attention of the Congress and enacted a law signed by former President Bush on December 19, 2007 named after her; Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act and has been effective since December 19, 2008.</span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Graeme, along with other victims of pool accidents, are the main inspiration of this blog.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">Graeme, the granddaughter of former Secretary of State <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Baker">James Baker III</a>, a twin and the youngest of the 5 siblings, learned how to swim at the age of 3 and was a member of swim and diving team of her community.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/ht_picture_080722_mn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/ht_picture_080722_mn.jpg" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">In June 15, 2002, she and her mother Nancy along with her 4 sisters were invited to a graduation party to be held at the swimming pool and hot tub area. Soon as they arrived, Graeme worn her swimsuit and jumped into the water without hesitation knowing that swimming is not new to her.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">A couple of minutes later, Graeme's older sister ran to their mother informing her that Graeme has been under water in the hot tub and would not come up. When Nancy reached the hot tub, she could barely see her daughter's figure. Nancy then jumped into the hot tub and saw Graeme's unconscious body.</div></span> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Nancy tried to pull her Graeme up not knowing that her daughter was trapped by the suction of the whirlpool’s drain. Two men came and in an effort to pull Graeme out, they eventually broke the drain cover to free her up completely.</div></span> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.ceswaterqualitynews.org/CESWaterQualityNews/Entries/2008/11/5_Important_Virginia_Graeme_Baker_Act_(VGBA)_Update_-_Only_40_days_left._files/Picture%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ceswaterqualitynews.org/CESWaterQualityNews/Entries/2008/11/5_Important_Virginia_Graeme_Baker_Act_(VGBA)_Update_-_Only_40_days_left._files/Picture%201.jpg" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 12px;">They tried to revive Graeme but it was too late. Graeme died of drowning caused by suction entrapment due to a faulty drain cover, she was 7 years old.</span></div>Florence Polizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05342215785447636498noreply@blogger.com19