How To Prevent Electric Shock Drowning

    12 Jul How To Prevent Electric Shock Drowning

    Posted at 13:10h in Safety by

    Stray voltage from anomalies in an electric grid or faulty electrical equipment in contact with a body of water can find its way through earth and water to metal parts of docks, boat and jet ski lifts. A swimmer of any age who makes contact with electrical operated metal dock components can complete a least-resistance path for electrical current to pass through the swimmer. As little as one to two volts of potential is enough to paralyze hands, arms and travel towards the heart. That paralyzing action can incapacitate a swimmer and prohibit the victim from letting go if they are gripping metal.

    This hazard is most prevalent around developed lakes and has been encountered on Smith Mountain Lake. Signs a swimmer may notice are; that feeling the hair on their body is standing up, a tingling/burning sensation in extremities in contact with or close to metal while in the water, uncontrolled gripping of metal dock parts and can’t let go, that tingling or burning feeling traveling through your extremities towards your torso.

    While exact causes and universal solutions are still being hunted down nation-wide by experts and first responders in the field, every property owner and renter can confidently minimize the risks by doing the following:

    • Never allow swimming or sticking extremities in the water near your dock with a boat or jet ski lift in the water.
    • Never permit electrical cords to hang down into the water, or become chaffed by a mooring line or metal dock component. This must be monitored because conditions change as weather and water level changes.
    • Never use or leave submersible electrical equipment in the lake without understanding proper grounding requirements, material conditions and applications. That also includes never leaving an above-water portable electrical devise unattended to fall in the water.
    • Teach your children and guests to never reach up, touch or hang on the metal parts of a lift while they are swimming in the water.
    • Raise your lifts completely out of the water when not in use.
    • Use an experienced and licensed electrician with dock wiring experience. Verify you are complying with your state/county electrical codes and regulations.

    These stray and submerged voltages are notoriously difficult to find and isolate. They have been observed traversing significant distances. Your vigilance protects both you and your neighbors.