If You Feel a Shock, Swim Away from the Dock

Connect Power and our Team wants to help keep the fun in the water area and is sharing the message, “If you feel a shock, swim away from the dock,” to educate people on how to stay safe from a hidden hazard called electric shock drowning. ESD -

Electrostatic Discharge is the sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects caused by contact, an electrical short, or dielectric breakdown. A buildup of static electricity can be caused by tribo charging or by electrostatic induction. The triboelectric effect (also known as triboelectric charging) is a type of contact electrification on which certain materials become electrically charged after they are separated from a different material with which they were in contact.

Outdated wiring and a lack of proper safety equipment on boats and docks can cause situations where electricity “leaks” into the water. It’s a particularly dangerous hazard because it’s impossible to tell by sight if the water is energized.

According to the Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association, between 10 and 15 milliamps, which is just 1/50 the wattage of a 60 watt light bulb, can cause drowning.

They also report that most ESD deaths have occurred in public and private marinas and docks. Connect Power and our Team recommends that individuals do not swim around docks with electrical equipment or boats plugged into shore power.

If you are in the water and feel electric current, shout to let others know, try to stay upright, tuck your legs up to make yourself smaller, and swim away from anything that could be energized.

Do not head to the boat or dock ladders to get out. If you see someone who you suspect is getting shocked, do not immediately jump in to save them.

Throw them afloat, turn off the shore power connection at the ramp electrical disconnect, and/or unplug shore power cords. Try to eliminate the source of electricity as quickly as possible; then call for help.

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Connect Power, along with the American Boat and Yacht Council and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers/National Electrical Contractors Association, recommends adhering to these steps in order to enhance water recreation safety and accident prevention:

All electrical installations and maintenance should be performed by a professional electrical contractor familiar with marine codes and standards and inspected at least once a year.
Docks should have GFCI breakers on the circuits feeding electricity to the dock.
The metal frame of docks should be bonded to connect all metal parts to the alternating current (AC) safety ground at the power source.
Neighboring docks can also present a shock hazard. Make your neighbors aware of the need for safety inspections and maintenance. Marinas should comply with NFPA and NEC codes. *Most Commercial & Private Docks are not currently up to code today.
Have your boat’s electrical system checked at least once a year. Boats should also be checked when something is added to or removed from their systems.
Boats with AC systems should have isolation transformers or equipment leakage circuit interrupter (ELCI) protection, comply with ABYC standards, and be serviced by an ABYC Certified® Technician.