Looking to partition IG pool

[ChuckD]

This is a shot-in-the-dark, but here goes. We have a 17x38 vinyl IG and a brave four-year-old girl. In a previous lifetime, I was a lifeguard and Red Cross swimming instructor trainer (meaning, I taught the teachers how to teach) and am now going through the process of teaching her how to swim.
(I'm throwing some other info here because I think it offers something to those with pools and kids and how to handle it. I'd love to see another subject here at PoolForums just on pool safety.)

I've done my best to get my daughter to understand what this pool's about and how you have to respect it, and she's responded very well by demonstrating she understands it can be something very dangerous. She's a smart kid <shameless gloat> and shows a lot of caution around it.

Last year I got her to break away from the steps with the use of 'swimmies' (which I otherwise dispise) but she didn't get comfortable with going underwater. This will probably be the year she does since the swimmies are going to turn up 'missing'. I've whetted (wetted?) her appetite and hopefully inspired her to venture into the 3-1/2' shallow end on her own.

And that's where the dilemma come in. This is a typical pool where the rather slippery deep end comes up quickly and has caught me by surprise on ocassion. What I'd like to have is some kind of barrier to partition the shallow end off into a large kind of playpen for her. Something that would be safe on a vinyl liner as well.
Anyone ever hear about such a thing?

[CanuckPool]

why not ropes and floats, it will act as a visual barrier so that she knows where not to go past. Maybe having a physical barrier will not teach her to respect the deep end as it will be a safety blanket for her (ie. swimmies/arm floaters) And also being an ex-lifeguard and parent ;-), I am sure you don't let her out of your sight when she is around the pool.

[ChuckD]

I almost said 'it goes without saying...', but it can't be stated enough: she is absolutely never out of our sight around the pool. I've seen, many times, how quickly a toddler can get into trouble and it always left me shaken, even long before becoming a parent. I've pulled them out of waterfronts when their parents were within 10 to 15 feet, but briefly distracted by something. When a child's in or near the water, nothing else matters!

Anyway, I'd considered the ropes and floats thing, and still may do it, but what concerns me is how slick the bottom can be. As I mentioned, I've been surprised a couple times by the start of the slope and briefly lost my footing. An adult could probably reach up and grab the rope if needed. not so sure about a child. I'd like to assume myself, or my wife, a borderline swimmer, would always be there to grab her, but this would just be an added layer of protection.

[waste]

Chuck, I'm sorry to say that the rope may be your only choice. What I think you're thinking of would be like a 'baby gate' for use on stairwells, doorframes, etc. but would have to cover ~17' (if you have a Grecian pool, the width is probably 16' 6") and be at least 3' high (a little higher than the gates I have in my house) - also it would have to be constructed of materials which wouldn't be harmed by the pool water (ie, any metal parts would have to be SS - & good grade ).

I just had a small brainstorm - it might (!) be possible to make your own with the plastic mesh construction fencing (it should be the diamond style to prevent entrapment, though toes, fingers, hair may still be at risk even with the diamond style) secured to the wall with suction cups (or bathroom plungers) - I could see 3 cups per side attached to 1" pvc pipe to which the fencing is attached(on the sides)
Other possibility is using a safety rope to which said fencing is threaded onto (interspaced with the floats) and wighted on the bottom.
(I realse that there are some flaws with both methods, but the idea is only .5 hrs old - and I'm not an engineer ) *

Back to the safety rope - the, now defunct, NSPI required safety ropes to be installed 1' back from the change in grade (presumably to prevent nonswimmers from being able to accidently 'slide' under them) .


* (I know there are a lot of smart, knowledgable and ingenious folks here, let's all get together - design this thing and make some $ while increasing pool safety!! - needless to say the poolforum would get a cut off of the profits - maybe we can we can earn enough to keep it going forever!!

[CanuckPool]

you're on the right track waste, but anything that could have the potential of snagging, or getting tangled in seems very dangerous to me. What you almost need is a solid wall that has no holes/loops or anything that can potentially wedge a body part into.

maybe what you need is a floating play pen

http://blog.theavclub.tv/?p=479

[CanuckPool]

or what if you stuck some sort of grip type pad that helped keep your traction at the point that it feels slippery, it would provide warning that you are close to the edge and also allow you the traction to get yourself out... that coupled with the ropes and floats could be effective.

[waste]

you're on the right track waste, but anything that could have the potential of snagging, or getting tangled in seems very dangerous to me. What you almost need is a solid wall that has no holes/loops or anything that can potentially wedge a body part into.

maybe what you need is a floating play pen

http://blog.theavclub.tv/?p=479

CP, this is similar to something I saw before (the avclub link) but not quite the same, do you know anything about the other?? I's a great idea and think my boss could sell quite a few of them (depending on how well they actually work)

As for the 'solid' barrier, you'd, in effect, create 2 ~separate pools. While I certainly agree that anything which could cause entrapment is a NO (big no ), theere has to be some material (mesh) that will not have the entrapment problem.
Also, a solid barrier would mean customizing it to each pool, which is impractical. Another potential problem is that the 'barrier' shouldn't reach the surface and should be easily cleaned of any debris that it catches. As I said, my 'brainstorm' is to be the begining of creating a 'workable' device. However, I appreciate the input and welcome more (I'm thinking a new topic is in order for this... I'll start one and link it with an edit - no need to take away from ChuckD's thread)