Mitigate Electric Shock Drowning
What Can You Do to Prevent Stray Current From Causing Harm?
Sep 27, 2006
Shore power leaking into a marina can harm and even kill swimmers in the water near boats. Learn what you can do to mitigate electric shock drowning.
In the article Electric Shock Drowning, I talked about what this problem and what can cause it. There are actions we can take to prevent a tragedy at the boat dock. You should know how to rescue someone and learn to prevent an accident for occurring.
How do I rescue a victim of electric shock drowning?
- Learn to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and maintain training currency.
- Call for help. Use 911 or VHF Channel 16 as appropriate.
- Turn off the shore power connection at the meter base. If you don't know how to do this, call the harbormaster and take no further action.
- Get the victim out of the water. Remember to reach, throw, row, but don't go. Never enter the water to rescue someone.
- Practice retrieving a person from the water. It is a valuable skill and not easy to do.
- Perform CPR until the Fire Department, Coast Guard or ambulance can arrive.
- Victims of electrical shock drowning are good candidates for successful CRP efforts.
How do I prevent an Electric Shock Drowning?
- Don't swim in a boat harbor or marina.
- Ask your marina operator to prohibit swimming at their facility and post signs.
- Ensure your vessel electrical systems are maintained and repaired by competent technicians
- Marina operators should periodically inspect their shore power systems for electrical safety
- Use and insist other boater use shore power cords approved by UL or CA standards. Don't use common household extension cords for providing shore power to your boat.
- Don't allow a shore power cord to lie across a dock or trail into the water.
Marina operators should be familiar with the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) Standard 303 written for marinas and boatyards. The standard is considered part of the Uniform Building Code in most communities. NFPA 303 details standards for electrical inspections, shore power cords, electrical receptacles, and other important fire safety issues present in marinas.
The copyright of the article Mitigate Electric Shock Drowning in Boating & Sailing is owned by Alan Sorum. Permission to republish Mitigate Electric Shock Drowning in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
