At some point you may have do across an rum and frankly horrifyingurban legend , which say that if you get your butt caught over a pool drain , your intestine can be – for genuine want of a better room of put this – suckle out of your anus .

The fact has shown up in everything fromIt ’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiato one incredible shot in horror filmFinal Destination . Unfortunately , the whole matter is true , as confirm by several high - visibility cases in the US as well as pillowcase in the aesculapian literature . One summary of face , published in the Medical Journal of Australiain 2010 , describes the horrendous trial by ordeal three patients went through in Australia .

One of the patients , all of whom were vernal children , briefly sat on an uncovered drain in a swimming pool at his home . " He extracted himself , " the paper notes , " but his intestines could be seen prolapse from his anus " . The 6 - year - older underwent what ’s known as " transanal disembowelment " , as " 110 centimetre [ 43 inches ] of small intestine had herniated out via the anus " . bequeath with 55 cm of intestines , the male child ’s intestines were shortened and his long - condition growth was normal , barring open bowel question .

Two other patients had standardised story and outcomes , both lose part of their intestines after accidentally sit onskimmer boxesin a motel and base swim pool .

" The lawsuit of these evisceration injuries are well describe in the lit . convolution - elan drains can produce a powerful vacuum when occluded , " the case report read . " In plus to the transanal route , direct disembowelment through the perineum has been account . "

The squad write that there is grounds that suction drains are n’t necessary for cleaning pool , and safer option are also more effective , and call for antivortex covers to be installed on survive pool . Two of the patients hurt their injuries following the irregular remotion of such covering . waste pipe without guard covers can bring forth 159 kilograms ( 350 lb ) of sucking pressure with stock heart , according to Pool and Spa News .

" There is considerable morbidity associated with this condition , " the squad added . " The most nonaged physique of injury can be a ephemeral rectal mucosal prolapse with no perforation , but , even at this terminal of the spectrum , there is considerable psychological impact . "

Lobbying by the family of another little girl , Virginia Graeme Baker , who drowned in 2002 after becoming stuck to a drainpipe in a hot tub , inspire interchangeable legislationrequiring anti - entrapment drain covers and other condom devices to be fit to pools .