Man Electrocuted After Jumping Into Georgia Lake
Here's an important reminder about the dangers of ESD (Electric Shock Drowning)
Everyone,
Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) occurs when an electrified object contacts a body of freshwater. It’s basically a hot-skin voltage in a water gradient. Read about this recent drowning in Georgia that was probably caused by ESD. I’ll contact the reporter today to find any additional data. For the original article on the Daily Beast, please click HERE.
This just in from the Daily Beast Newspaper
A 24-year-old man mysteriously died after jumping into Georgia’s Lake Lanier on Thursday, authorities said. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources told WSB-TV that the man, identified as Thomas Miner, jumped off a dock and was shocked by electricity in the water. A family friend then unsuccessfully attempted to get Miner out of the water using a ladder, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. Neighbors navigated a boat over to Miner, where another person got into the lake to try and rescue him. That person later described to officials feeling a burning sensation in the water. The person swam ashore, switched off a power box, and was able to retrieve Miner, WSB-TV reported. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died. The source of the electricity is unclear, and an investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Back to me…
I’ve studied and written about Electric Shock Drowning many times. And one of my writing colleagues has participated in studies where they placed an energized aluminum boat in the water and measured the voltage gradient around it. Read my article about ESD causes and how to save yourself if you feel a shock in the water HERE.
Lets play (and swim) safe out there…. Mike
As a past sailboat owner on the Chesapeake Bay I have seen several times the effects of energized water from both the 12 volt and 110 volt systems. Usually it comes down to faulty bonding due to galvanic corrosion at connections that when compromised can take away fault protection. The primary purpose of the bonding system is to protect us when an electrical fault does occur in either the AC or DC system. Most boat and RV owners are not electrically inclined combined with hard to reach and see places electrical components and connections are not inspected on boats and RV’s as they should be at least once a year. This is the reason I never let my children get into the water while in the marina or even fish from the docks (although it did make for good fishing)