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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Naperville, IL || North Scott Lake, MI
    Posts
    1,455

    Default Electric Shock Drowning

    A friend who knows that I spend a lot of time on our boat in our lake sent me an article on FB about electric shock drowning (ESD). I had never really heard of this before and thought there may be others out there who may also benefit from this information. The link below has a very informative article on the subject.

    I am very much a novice when it comes to electricity, but from reading the below article is sounds like the only real problem is with AC coming from shore power of some kind. This is likely why I have never heard of the issue before because our lake is very small with no marina and the only shore power I have at the dock is the occasion extension cord for the battery charger that needs to be hooked up from time to time.

    http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/maga...-explained.asp
    Mike

    2013 Outback V
    - ballast: 900# rears / 400# center / 650# IBS
    - audio: Exile SXT9Q x 2 towers / Kicker KM65 x 6 cabins / Xi 12 sub / Javelin & XM15.4 amps / ZLD
    - FAE
    - DIY suckgate

    2003 SeaRay 182 -- gone but not forgotten...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Posts
    316

    Default

    My wife watched her cousin die when she was younger from the same thing. Swimming off the back of a houseboat and the shore power had a wire exposed


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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Vicksburg, MI
    Posts
    1,131

    Default

    One of the best things to do is make sure that every extension cord is plugged into a GFCI and check the operation of the GFCI on a monthly basis.

    Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
    Joe

    2014 LSV
    2010 Outback V - Sold
    1993 Echelon

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Tallahassee, FL
    Posts
    14,071

    Default

    Great thread! Thanks for sharing. I had not heard of this either despite a lifetime of being on the water.
    My Mom said I'm not allowed to get wet!
    2008 LSV (sold)
    2000 Outback LS (sold)
    LLTR!!!!!!!!



  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Naperville, IL || North Scott Lake, MI
    Posts
    1,455

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jstenger View Post
    One of the best things to do is make sure that every extension cord is plugged into a GFCI and check the operation of the GFCI on a monthly basis.

    Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
    That's the approach that I always take, but I was never sure if that was enough.
    Mike

    2013 Outback V
    - ballast: 900# rears / 400# center / 650# IBS
    - audio: Exile SXT9Q x 2 towers / Kicker KM65 x 6 cabins / Xi 12 sub / Javelin & XM15.4 amps / ZLD
    - FAE
    - DIY suckgate

    2003 SeaRay 182 -- gone but not forgotten...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Springfield Missouri
    Posts
    3,391

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mikenehrkorn View Post
    That's the approach that I always take, but I was never sure if that was enough.
    It's not. The GFCI should always be tested before use to get the optimal protection which is especially important if working near water. GFCI's have a high failure rate and seldom do they fail in the open (powered off) position. I've seen a failure rate of 5-10% per year of the GFCIs at our work site. Motors are not connected to GFCIs as the transients on start up or their motor starter will trip them so avoid water contact at marinas where the fuel pump is on the dock. The same can be said about motors for boat lifts and ensure the wiring is in good shape and protected from damage. Have a power disconnect on shore and disconnect the power on shore when the lift isn't used. Proper grounding (bonding) is the key as electricity is always looking for the easiest return path. If you continually trip a GFCI, there is more to the story than you want to believe so you need to find the culprit whether it is the extension cord or the device being used. The testing device in the article is inexpensive, easy to find incorrect wiring and has a trip device for GFCIs that puts an external fault to the receptacle that would replicate an actual incident. I carry one when I use a campground to make sure the their wiring is correct. BTW, May is Electrical Safety Month so a great time for the subject.
    1998 Mobius
    310 HP PCM
    SOLD

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Keuka Lake, NY
    Posts
    7,692

    Default

    I used a gfci fault break testers well

    There is a warning device sold that will pick up stray electricity in the water and set off a visual and audio alarm

    http://www.docklifeguard.org/purchasehere.html

    We always unplug our dock hoist power when swimming kids and pets
    Last edited by jmvotto; 05-12-2017 at 03:03 PM.
    A Day at the Lake...Priceless
    A Day in Powder...Endless


    Joe V
    2012 Möbius XLV~ Loaded & Exiled
    2007 Outback V ~ sold

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Arkansas
    Posts
    3,952

    Default

    There are a couple variations of what Joe posted. My wife has been looking at them but we haven't bought anything yet. Would love feedback if anyone has used one.

    Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk
    2016 Moomba Mojo
    2006 Supra 24SSV - Traded

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Birmingham Al
    Posts
    248

    Default

    This happens near me every season. Had two drown last year at my home lake. Sad stuff..


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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Keuka Lake, NY
    Posts
    7,692

    Default

    Kyle

    My buddy just bought one I will give you feed back on the one posted above
    A Day at the Lake...Priceless
    A Day in Powder...Endless


    Joe V
    2012 Möbius XLV~ Loaded & Exiled
    2007 Outback V ~ sold

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