Skip to main content
Home
Menu
  • It's all you
    • Activities for kids
    • Reliable electricity
    • For the good of all
    • Ownership
    • Cooperative principles
    • New members
    • Proud to sponsor kids' activities
    • Co-op month
  • Your money
    • Solar energy information
    • Penny power
    • Capital credits
    • Beneficial electrification
    • Save energy, save money
    • Solar 101
    • Member contests
  • Your safety
    • Indoor electrical safety
    • Outdoor electrical safety
    • Safety for kids
    • Outage safety
    • Power line hazards and cars
  • Your community
    • Local control
    • Personal service
    • Your community
    • Thank a lineworker
  • Balanced generation
    • Epic Failure a Cautionary Tale
    • Diverse energy mix
    • Reliable power
    • Balanced generation summary
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • About us

You are here

  1. Your safety
  2. Outdoor safety tips
  3. What is electric shock drowning (ESD) & how to prevent it

Swim AWAY from the dock

What is electric shock drowning (ESD) & how to prevent it

Whether at home or on vacation, boating, fishing and swimming can be fun ways to enjoy the great outdoors. And safety precautions like life jackets are a given for millions of families who take to the water. But there is an unseen danger that lake-goers everywhere should be aware of. It’s called electric shock drowning, or ESD.

Listen to our podcast and read on for more information.

Power For Your Life · Lake and boating safety

 

What is electric shock drowning (ESD)?

Electric Shock Drowning (ESD), occurs when a person drowns after being electrocuted while swimming in water that is charged with an electrical current.

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.

 

What causes ESD?

Outdated wiring and a lack of proper safety equipment on boats and docks can cause situations where electricity “leaks” into the water.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.

 

A sobering story of ESD

The Ritz family was stunned when their son Lucas was killed while swimming with his life jacket on while being closely supervised by his mother. The danger could not be seen but was silently lurking in the water. Electricity was leaking into the water from a boat plugged in to shore power. Unfortunately, people are killed each year by what’s now known as electric shock drowning (ESD). The Ritz family wants others to learn how to avoid ESD and stay safe.

 

How to prevent ESD?

  1. If you are in the water and experience a tingling feeling, resulting from an electric current, shout to let others know. 

  2. Try to stay upright, tuck your legs up to make yourself smaller and 

  3. Swim away from anything that could be energized. 

  4. Do not swim toward a boat or dock ladders to get out.

 

How to help someone in electrically charged water

If you see someone who you suspect is getting shocked, follow these instructions: <

  1. Do not immediately enter the water to save them.  

  2. Throw them a floatation device

  3. Turn off the shore power connection at the meter base, and/or unplug shore power cords. Try to eliminate the source of electricity as quickly as possible; then 

  4. Call 9-1-1 immediately.

 

Additional resources:

American Boat & Yacht Council 

Safe Electricity

Plus, learn more about how to keep yourself and those you love safe around electricity.

Back to Top

Quick Links

  • Legal Info
  • Privacy Policy

Contact Info

Associated Electric Cooperative Inc.

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 754
Springfield, MO 65801-0754

Tel. 417-881-1204
Email. membersfirst@aeci.org

About Us

Even though your electric cooperative is locally owned and committed to your local community, we are part of something bigger too. We are a network of 51 distribution cooperatives in Missouri, southern Iowa and northeastern Oklahoma, serving 935,000 member homes, farms and businesses. We receive power generation through six regional Generation and Transmission (G&T) cooperatives and one collective G&T, Associated Electric Cooperative.

Follow Us Online

©2022 Members First. Cooperatives put members first every day.

  • It's all you
    • Activities for kids
    • Reliable electricity
    • For the good of all
    • Ownership
    • Cooperative principles
    • New members
    • Proud to sponsor kids' activities
    • Co-op month
  • Your money
    • Solar energy information
    • Penny power
    • Capital credits
    • Beneficial electrification
    • Save energy, save money
    • Solar 101
    • Member contests
  • Your safety
    • Indoor electrical safety
    • Outdoor electrical safety
    • Safety for kids
    • Outage safety
    • Power line hazards and cars
  • Your community
    • Local control
    • Personal service
    • Your community
    • Thank a lineworker
  • Balanced generation
    • Epic Failure a Cautionary Tale
    • Diverse energy mix
    • Reliable power
    • Balanced generation summary
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • About us