Above ground pool question....you don't even want to know why!

[SandyDittmer]

Okay, here's another question. I need to plug the main drain in my pool. After much research, I won't be using it for the pond.

I do not own scuba gear, nor do I know what I will be seeing once I get the main drain cover off. So......does anybody know what the internals of a main drain look like? The pool store guy said there should be two screws holding the main drain cover on. Once I get those out, I should see a 1.5" PVC pipe coming in from the side. He said to just use one of those rubber, expandable type plugs to plug it. I was hoping something threaded would work. Thought that might be more water tight. He didn't know if there would be threads or not.

Either way, I need to be able to sink down 6.5 feet, unscrew two screws, plug the pipe, and screw the cover back on without an air tank. I know I can make several dives and not have to do it all in one. I am thinking of trying to just use a garden hose to breathe through (like a long snorkel) and trying to rig up some kind of weight to keep me down easier. Maybe I could just have my husband keep me down with the vacuum pole.

No wise cracks, please.....I know I'm asking for it though! Any suggestions would be appreciated! I definitely don't want to drain the pool...that would be bad for the liner and a waste of water. And I'd rather not hire somebody if I can manage this on my own, which I think I can.

Thanks,
Sandy