Glossary
Electric shock drowning
Drowning caused when electrical current leaking from a dock, marina or boat paralyzes a swimmer. Most common in fresh water.
Electric shock drowning, or ESD, happens when faulty wiring at a marina, a private dock or on a boat leaks electrical current into the water. If the current passes through a swimmer, it can paralyze their muscles so they can't stay afloat, and they drown. The National Fire Protection Association (opens in a new tab) explains that:
- ESD is far more common in fresh water, because the human body conducts electricity better than fresh water does;
- victims often don't feel the current before they are incapacitated;
- most ESD incidents have happened at residential waterfront homes with private docks that have electrical power;
- after a drowning, it can be hard to tell that electricity was involved.
NFPA's advice for swimmers: never swim near a marina, dock or boatyard, and obey no swimming signs. If you feel tingling, swim back the way you came, get out quickly and avoid metal ladders or rails. Boat owners should have their boat's electrical system inspected every year by a qualified marine electrician. If someone may be being shocked, don't jump in: call 911 and throw something that floats.
See electric shock drowning and fishing safety.
What you can do today: if your family swims off a dock, find out whether it has electrical power and when it was last inspected.