TYNN27-NONFATAL pool and spa submersion

INCIDENT INVESTIGATION ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Childhood Pool and Spa NONFATAL Submersions
DOCUMENT NUMBER:
DATE OF INCIDENT:

CATIID: TYNN27 2020

FOLLOW-UP REQUESTED

HAZARD ANALYSIS

COMPLIANCE

PRIMARY CONTACT: Susan Bathalon, EXHR, 301-987-2282, SBathalon@cpsc.gov
BACK UP CONTACT: Ted Yang, EPHA, 301-504-7838, tyang@cpsc.gov

ASSIGNMENT MESSAGE:
This investigation is for a NONFATAL child submersion incident associated with a residential pool or spa product.
Investigations of nonfatal child submersions are being requested to document scenarios of interest including details of property
barriers, the child’s activity and supervision circumstances immediately prior to gaining access to the pool or spa, and the type of
pool or spa. Review of Appendix 75 provides comprehensive information including classification of pool types, pool barrier
components, and household supervision scenarios. (Note: The DRS attached to Appendix 75 supports ONLY fatality document
collection and should not be used for non-fatal pool or spa events. Rather, the contents of Appendix 75 should be considered for
nonfatal events). An on-site investigation is preferred with photos of the pool or spa barrier configuration and barrier entry point.
A narrative write up is required for this IDI; the DRS should not be completed.
Water sources are a major hazard to children, especially young children. According to CPSC’s 2019 fatal drowning and nonfatal
submersion publication on pools and spas, there were an average estimated 4,800 children younger than 15 years old treated in
hospital emergency departments each year from 2016 through 2018; and 269 pool or spa-related drowning fatalities reported per
year from 2014 through 2016. For numerous years, CDC data has ranked drowning as: the primary cause of unintentional deaths
with children 1-4 years of age; the secondary leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 5-9 years; and the fifth
leading cause of unintentional deaths for children ages 10-14. These nonfatal drowning IDI assignments will focus primarily on
victims aged 1-5 years old injured at residential pool locations; some assignments may involve older children.
This incident review is intended to collect information on swimming pool barrier efficacy. In the investigation, it is important to
collect as much information as possible about the type of pool, the barrier access points or gaps, and the supervision of the
victim. Swimming pool barriers are physical obstacles that can delay a young, unsupervised child’s entry into a swimming pool.
Delaying a child’s access to pool water allows a greater chance for supervision to be restored before submersion can occur.
Residential swimming pool types vary in permanent to seasonal structures and features. In addition, numerous types and
configurations of residential swimming pool barriers exist. Barrier types include pool covers, above-ground pool side walls,
isolation fencing, property fencing, house walls having lockable, and possibly alarmed, back doors or windows. Appendix 75
and CPSC’s Safety Barrier Guidelines for Residential Pools can be consulted for more information about pool types, and pool
barrier specifics. The investigation should detail the configuration of all physical swimming pool barriers and should note any
locations where the barrier is compromised (gaps, broken locks, propped open gates, etc.) Examples of compromised barriers on
the wall include unlocked back patio doors, broken fence gates, or pet doors. Where possible, the known or presumed path to the
water taken by the victim should be noted. Caregiver level of supervision can vary depending on a child’s age and activities. The
investigation should include the child and caregiver activities and child’s presumed location just prior to the pool submersion
incident.
Some individual States have statutes concerning residential pool barrier requirements; these State requirements are typically
based on Residential Building Code for swimming pools, CPSC guidelines, and ANSI Standard. More information about
Standards and Codes can be found in Appendix 75. Any relevant State residential swimming pool barrier statute should be noted.

Please include all primary and all backup contacts in the distribution of the completed IDI.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Area below will be completed in Data Systems _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Person(s) to Contact:
Guidelines: Appendix 75 – Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs (Submersions)
Task Number:
Assigned to:

CPSC FORM 324A

Date:
Processed by: lew