Electric Shock Drowning
Electric shock drowning (ESD) is an underreported threat in lakes and swimming pools in the United States. Electricity from docks and boats can leak into water, creating a dangerous situation for swimmers. Even small amounts of voltage in freshwater can cause muscle paralysis. When someone enters the water and becomes non-responsive, the first impulse many have is to jump in and pull them out, but this can lead to multiple drownings.
More and more docks have electrical features, frequently involving a mix of professionally installed and DIY equipment like lighting, boat lifts, refrigerators, televisions, and more. The ESD threat is increasing as dock electrification becomes more prevalent. It's difficult to assess the exact number of drownings each year because electricity in water can be an intermittent problem and is difficult to identify.
Safety Precautions Every Dock Needs
Before swimming, everyone on the dock should know where the electrical breaker or disconnect is located. Share this information with anyone who uses your dock.
What if You Suspect Hazardous Conditions?
If a suspected ESD event is in progress, turn off the power at the breaker and call 911 immediately.
DO NOT JUMP IN! If electricity is in the water, you could end up drowning as well. Use a non-conductive rescue hook and pole to move the swimmer to safety or throw them a life ring if they start to respond when you cut power.
Our Solution
Detecting electricity in water is challenging. The current generation of devices uses the same voltage detection technology that electricians have used since the 1950s. Unfortunately, voltage can occur in water for various reasons, and basic voltage detectors can't tell the difference between natural and hazardous conditions, limiting their ability to provide accurate information to keep swimmers safe.
We developed WaveLink Secure because we tested all of the dock-based voltage detectors on the market, and none gave us confidence that we could keep our loved ones safe. WaveLink Secure is the first device capable of detecting hazardous conditions throughout the swimming area without generating false alarms or unnecessary dock shutdowns.