Patent ID: 8281425

Claim:
A method for the release of a bather trapped below a water level in an aquatic vessel having a water circulation system, the trapped bather being suction entrapped at a submerged suction outlet fitting and in danger of drowning below the water level of the aquatic vessel by a dangerously high level of vacuum at the submerged suction outlet fitting, the method comprising: delivering water from the aquatic vessel to a centrifugal pump via an intake pipe of the water circulation system; charging the centrifugal pump with the water from the aquatic vessel; returning water from the centrifugal pump to the aquatic vessel through a return pipe; circulating water in the water circulation system with the centrifugal pump powered by an electric motor; remotely and indirectly sensing a potential for a dangerously high vacuum level within the intake pipe without using a sensor to sense either water flow or water pressure characteristics within the intake pipe, centrifugal pump or return pipe; and reacting to a loss of flow of water independent of any direct fluid communication with the loss of flow of water by powering down the electric motor causing the dangerously high vacuum level within the intake pipe to neutralize the dangerously high vacuum level and to release the trapped bather from the submerged suction outlet fitting, the centrifugal pump remaining continuously charged with water and with no air being introduced into the water circulation system.