 Electrical safety is our key concern and I'm always looking out for information that will help keep the industry safe. Every year Electric Shock Drowning claims several new victims. As the summer approaches and people start taking to their boats and boat docks, it's important to remind you of the hidden dangers. It's our responsibility, especially as electricians, to do our part in educating the public to help keep families safe around lakes and marinas.
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Electrical safety is our key concern and I'm always looking out for information that will help keep the industry safe. Every year Electric Shock Drowning claims several new victims. As the summer approaches and people start taking to their boats and boat docks, it's important to remind you of the hidden dangers. It's our responsibility, especially as electricians, to do our part in educating the public to help keep families safe around lakes and marinas.
Captain David Rifkin (USN, Ret.) plays an active role in spreading the awareness of Electric Shock Drowning, and is the contributor of this annual report. Click here for his updated list of ESD incidents which added several deaths and a number of "near misses" to the list. Here is David's message:
Keeping it simple, we recommend two very important ways to stay safe as the swimming season starts around the country.
First, DON’T swim around boats, docks, or any equipment (like pond pumps) using electricity for any reason.
And second, make sure that all electrical equipment is supplied through OPERABLE ground fault protection as required by codes and standards. This could be GFCIs or GFPs (ground fault protectors), and they must be tested at least at the minimum periodicity specified (usually monthly).
You can always do better by testing them more frequently. For example, with a GFP shore receptacle breaker, use the test device to turn off power before removing the plug from the receptacle. This will exercise the mechanism that lives in the harshest of environments. If the device fails, better to know it now rather than when a person is being shocked in the water.
If you diligently do these two things, you will reduce the risk of succumbing to an electrical shock in the water, should someone find themselves in the water around the dock. And if you do witness a person being shocked,
- Call for help immediately WHILE turning off shore pedestal breakers near the scene.
- Throw the person a life ring.
- Push them AWAY from the dock with a nonconductive pole (“away” because the source is likely on the dock and pulling them in closer could be fatal).
- If coherent, tell them to swim AWAY from the dock and exit the water AWAY from the dock itself.
 David Rifkin
For additional information:
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