Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does it cost?
A. Since 1 December 2007, we have been able to offer a new blow-molded version, known as Super Skamper-Ramp®. It is markedly stronger, more robust, and high quality. It is best suited for frequent use and any size (even large) animals. The Super Skamper-Ramp snaps together (no nuts, bolts or flexible wing strips), and is the best solution for vinyl-lined pools. Expect the starting price around $99.00. Use it with or without the extension, depending on your needs.
Any animal can use the Super Skamper-Ramp; the additional length created by the optional extender merely allows larger dogs to get their hind legs on to the ramp sooner and rely less on their upper body strength.
The retail price for the original Skamper-Ramp® - that is best suited for critter control and small pets, emergency only and infrequent use - in the US starts at $39.95 depending upon where it is purchased.
We are manufacturers, not retailers, of this 100% made in America product. US Patent # 6643879, International patent pending.
We list all our resellers in the "Store Locator" and/or "e-Tailers" sections of our site — so go there to find a location near you or an internet catalogue. Be sure to calculate the shipping if purchasing from an e-Tailer! And remember, only those listed on our e-Tailers page are authorized resellers of Skamper-Ramp!
http://www.skamper-ramp.com/
Q. Why does it work?
A. Skamper-Ramp is an escape ramp: a means of preventing animals and pets from drowning. It is truly a K.I.S.S.—“keep it simple solution”—to a very major problem: animal drowning. Easy to assemble, lightweight, strong and inexpensive, it is white so all living things can see it.
Because it is made of heavy-duty plastic, it is a deceptively simple-looking product. But behind the design there is a lot of engineering, science and testing. The primary science is that ALL living beings - domestic or wild; bugs, animals, or humans; colorblind or not - see at the wavelength that is the color white. When trapped, day or night, they see it and go to it to keep their heads out of water and for escape. Skamper-Ramp provides peace-of-mind to pet owners and animal lovers since it provides protections against drowning, day or night, 24/7.
Skamper-Ramp must be installed so that a few inches of the "nose" (curved) end are under water and the ramp breaks the water's surface, enabling the animal to see it at eye level in the water. The "open-box-top" end (closest to the pool wall) must be very snug against a vertical wall in order to provide the rigidity necessary for an animal to "skamper" out on the ramp — whether it's a pool (commercial or private), floating or fixed dock, walled pond, spa, bulkhead, reservoir, canal, stern of a boat, or stock tanks and water troughs in pastures and remote ranchland.
You'll notice the decorative pattern (created by the traction and flow holes) catches the animal's interest but there are no colors on Skamper-Ramp because not all animals see colors, but ALL animals see white. Skamper Ramp is the only water rescue device on the market that is a ramp and provides any animal with an escape from drowning—allowing exit from the water on their own!!
NOTE: For optimal performance of the all three Skamper-Ramp models it is important, from time to time, to check and make sure the rope is as taut as can be so the ramp is very snug to the (pool) wall... for the Original (and discontinued Big Dog) versions, it is important to check the nuts and bolts for tightness as well. Also, the side wing nuts should be screwed tight and the tabs pushed through so that the wings can "splay" out a bit when you push down on the upper portion.
Q. What about vinyl-lined pools and above ground pools?
A. While any of our ramps work well for permanent vinyl liner pools - in-ground or above-ground (steel walled) - making sure that an animal’s claws don't puncture the pool liner, the Super Skamper-Ramp (with or without its extender) will certainly be the safest and best model to use. If you have a deck surface that overhangs the pool wall by 1" or more, make sure you re-lace the ramp’s rope to the set of holes below the Skamper-Ramp logo so that the ramp can be snugged under the overhang, directly against the side wall.
In normal infrequent, escape-only usage, the Original version will not cut through or tear the vinyl - for peace-of-mind, a double layer of vinyl can be put on the side wall of the pool where the ramp will hang (if you can get some from your vinyl pool contractor, or tape the edges of the ramp with vinyl repair tape) but neither should be necessary.
Note that the Super Skamper-Ramp is designed for regular, even frequent, usage in vinyl pools as well. Its totally smooth edges will not cut or wear on your liner, even if it is used for regular ingress and egress by your pet.
We do not recommend our ramps for soft-sided, non-permanent, above-ground pools. However, you could try to adapt your deck (primarily by affixing a 1x10 x 18” board under the deck with a brace behind it holding it perpendicular to the deck and parallel to the pool wall) so that the Skamper-Ramp will have a rigid flat surface to brace against so that animals may escape using it.
Skamper-Ramp works well with floating docks and houseboats, too! It just must have the 5-6" of vertical surface to brace against and have at least 3" of ramp in the water at all times.
Q. Why do I need a Skamper-Ramp if I have a pool alarm, a fenced pool, or I have trained my dog to the steps?
A. No matter how careful we are, accidents do happen! Fence gates get left open from time to time, or don’t always get securely closed. Many animals—especially "critters!" manage to get over or under fencing. Alarms are great if someone is around to hear them. What if they aren’t?
In training a pet to the steps (which are underwater and can’t be seen by the pet), you have actually trained your pet to some marker. But do you know exactly what that marker is that your pet is using? What if that potted plant or piece of furniture is moved for a party, or the landscape changes – how will your pet find the steps then? And while you may have trained your dog to the steps, that is when you go to the pool with them or call them out from a consistent place, not necessarily when you are not there or it is a stressful time. What if they are spooked, chased or fall in, or if some other animal gets to your pool? Then the situation is not the same.
Just as one plans for layers of safety protection to keep people from drowning in the pool, one needs to also plan for layers of protection to keep animals from drowning in pools. There is great value to the peace of mind that comes from knowing there is one additional, inexpensive layer for drowning prevention in addition to your fence and/or your training.
Q. How long will it last?
A. As stated above, the ramp is made of polymers that are some of the strongest, most durable materials available that float. In addition, the polymers used are UV- and chemical- resistant. Because of this, we know it will hold up for a very long time—one has been installed in a pool in Charleston, SC for over 5 years, still looks very much like the day it was installed and is going strong. While we can't make guarantees, the ramp should last a very long time!
Q. Are there other uses besides commercial or residential pools?
A. Our customers are creative in their applications. Many people are buying Skamper-Ramps for their floating docks, fixed docks, and boats (from the stern transom or with the swim platforms); to use for thin ice rescue; for indoor ramps to litter boxes or furniture for very small or light weight animals; and in stock tanks and water troughs in pastures and remote ranchland.
