A person immersed in water may drown if an electric current is applied to the water.
Exposure to an electric current may cause ventricular fibrillation or muscle paralysis, causing the person to die suddenly or to drown.
It can occur in fresh, chlorinated or salt water.
The electricity source may through a broken wire that comes into contact with the water, especially around a dock.
Key factors:
(1) conductivity of the water
(2) distance between the swimmer and electricity source
(3) amount of electricity flowing into the water
More electric shock drownings may occur in fresh water since people are more likely to be swimming near a dock.
Prevention:
(1) GFCI on electricity circuits
(2) low-voltage lighting systems
(3) shipboard isolation transformers
