Danger at the Dock

How many times have you let your kids go for a swim off a dock at the lake? Seems harmless enough, particularly if they are wearing a life jacket. But in recent years, there have been increased reports of people being electrocuted while swimming in a body of fresh water, such as a lake. This is a phenomenon called electric shock drowning (ESD) and can cause a fun day on the water to go horribly wrong.

Why Does it Happen?

ESD occurs when electricity from a boat or a dock “leaks” into the water around it. A person can experience anything from a mild tingling to a shock that passes through the body and causes the person to drown. It typically occurs in fresh water rather than sea water.

Prevention for Swimmers

There’s no way to tell if the water you’re getting ready to jump into is electrified just by looking at it. Keep yourself safe by staying out of the water around a dock or marina that may be electrified. If you are already in the water and feel a tingling sensation, don’t swim towards the dock. Instead, head for a shoreline at least 100 yards from the dock and yell for others not to go in the water.

If you own a boat, have it checked at least once a year by an electrician who is familiar with the safety standards of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) to make sure no electricity is leaking. You may also install an equipment leakage circuit interrupter (ELCI) on your boat or on the shore power cord, or use a ground fault circuit interupter (GFCI) in the shore power cord.

If you own a dock or a marina that is electrified, do not allow swimming within 100 yards. In addition, have your dock checked periodically to ensure there are no safety issues. Educate yourself and others about ESD, especially children. Make sure they know why they shouldn’t just jump right in the water. Doing so may save lives!