Understanding Electric Shock Drownings: A Hidden Water Hazard

by Owen Harris

When we think about water safety, we often think of the obvious risks like strong currents or the inability to swim. However, there’s a lesser-known but extremely dangerous threat lurking near marinas, docks, and boatyards—Electric Shock Drowning (ESD). This silent killer is responsible for numerous fatalities each year, often taking the lives of unsuspecting swimmers in freshwater environments.

What is Electric Shock Drowning?

Electric Shock Drowning occurs when a person swimming in freshwater is electrocuted due to stray electrical currents leaking from nearby boats, docks, or marinas. While saltwater conducts electricity more efficiently, causing the current to dissipate quickly, freshwater's high resistance allows electrical currents to pass more readily through a swimmer's body than through the water. Even relatively small amounts of electrical current can paralyze a swimmer’s muscles, rendering them unable to move or call for help, which often results in drowning.

How Does ESD Happen?

ESD typically occurs when faulty wiring, improperly grounded electrical systems, or damaged equipment causes electrical current to leak into the water. Boats, docks, and marina electrical installations are frequent sources of such hazards. When swimmers venture into these waters, the electric current can pass through their bodies, leading to paralysis or heart arrhythmias, ultimately causing them to drown.

Real-Life Tragedies

To understand the devastating impact of ESD, it’s important to hear the stories of those who have lost their lives to this preventable danger. Here are a few real-life incidents that highlight the deadly nature of electric shock drowning:

  1. The Tragedy of April Faires

In July 2017, 11-year-old April Faires and her father tragically lost their lives to electric shock drowning in Lovell, Oklahoma. April was swimming near her family’s dock when she suddenly screamed for help and was seen struggling in the water. Her father, who rushed to rescue her, also became paralyzed when he entered the water. Unfortunately, both died in the water as they were unable to escape the electric current, which was later found to have leaked from a faulty wiring system in the family’s boat dock.

  1. Michael and Jason Monahan’s Tragic Deaths

Brothers Michael and Jason Monahan were electrocuted while swimming near a boat dock on Lake Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in 2017. The brothers, aged 18 and 15, were enjoying a swim when they suddenly struggled and called for help. Rescue attempts were futile, and both boys drowned. It was later determined that faulty wiring on the family’s boat had sent an electrical charge into the water, causing them to experience electric shock and drown.

  1. Case of the Goff Family

In 2017, the Goff family experienced a near-fatal ESD incident at their dock in Fort Myers, Florida. Drew Goff, a 15-year-old, was swimming in the freshwater canal behind their house when he began to struggle in the water. His parents quickly pulled him out, but he was unresponsive and barely breathing. After extensive medical care, Drew survived, but the family was shocked to learn that a broken wire from the dock’s boat lift had electrified the surrounding water, causing Drew’s near-drowning.

How to Prevent Electric Shock Drowning

  1. Hire Qualified Electricians for Marina and Dock Work: Electrical installations and repairs near water should only be performed by licensed electricians familiar with proper safety regulations for marine environments.
  2. Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs): GFCIs are life-saving devices that cut off the flow of electricity if they detect a fault, such as a leak into the water. Installing GFCIs on all electrical outlets near water can prevent stray current from entering the water.
  3. Test Water for Electrical Current: Using a WaveLink Secure System can alert via audible, visual and push alerts when a dangerous electrical situation is present.  The system is working 24 hours a day to make sure the water is constantly being monitored so that potential swimmers can be warned.
  4. Swim in Designated Areas: Avoid swimming near marinas, boat docks, or any areas where electrical equipment is present, especially in freshwater bodies like lakes or rivers.

A Preventable Danger

Electric Shock Drownings are particularly tragic because they are preventable. With proper awareness, education, and safety precautions, we can protect loved ones from this silent killer. It’s crucial to take these dangers seriously and ensure that all electrical systems near water are up to code, properly maintained, and free of electrical faults.

In honor of those who have lost their lives to ESD, let us remember their stories and take the necessary steps to prevent future tragedies.

References:

  • April Faires' story from the Oklahoma News and local reports
  • The Monahan brothers’ case as reported by the Tuscaloosa News
  • Drew Goff’s near-drowning from CBS News interviews with the Goff family

By following best practices and spreading awareness about the dangers of electric shock drowning, we can prevent more lives from being lost to this hidden threat.

 

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