Western Europe nowadays has 230 volts, with one neutral conductor, connected
to earth, and one live conductor, carrying 230 volts AC.
The pool situation could be extremely dangerous, even if the plastic
insulation is perfect -- the whole setup acts as a giant capacitor, with
roughly the following capacity:
mu0 x mur x A 8.9E-12 x 3.8 x 15
C = ------------- = ------------------ ~= 0.5uF
d 1E-3
(with A in square meters, d in meters, and mur the relative mu of PVC)
This capacitor creates the necessary path to ground. At 50Hz and 115 volts
(the resulting AC voltage with a 230 wire and a neutral wire under water),
this capacitor would allow for an AC current of well over 10mA, a lot of
which will flow through the body if positioned between the conductors and
the pool floor. Although this is not considered immediately lethal, it will
cause spasms and loss of muscle control, most probably resulting in
drowning of the victim. Anyone getting within a meter or so from the wires
would start feeling anything from slight tingling to severe discomfort.
I'd recommend only foolish people do as shown in the picture, so as to
improve the general level of intelligence of the human population.
