Electrocution refers to severe injury or death from an electric shock, which occurs when an electrical current passes through the body. While any contact with electricity is hazardous, the danger escalates significantly when water is involved.
Water’s Role in Electrical Conductivity
Pure water, also known as distilled water, is a poor conductor of electricity because it lacks free ions. However, water in everyday environments like swimming pools, lakes, or tap water is rarely pure. These sources contain dissolved minerals, salts, and other impurities that break down into charged particles called ions. These ions allow water to conduct electricity, with higher concentrations increasing conductivity.
Temperature also influences water’s conductivity; as water temperature increases, ions gain mobility, enhancing its ability to conduct current. This allows electricity to spread rapidly through a body of water if a faulty source introduces a current. A person immersed in such water can then become part of the electrical circuit.
How Electricity Impacts the Human Body
When an electrical current passes through the human body, it causes immediate physiological effects. The current disrupts the body’s natural electrical signals, which are essential for nerve and muscle function. This disruption can lead to involuntary muscle contractions, making a person unable to release an electrified object or move their limbs.
The heart is particularly vulnerable to electrical current, as it can induce ventricular fibrillation, an erratic quivering of the heart’s lower chambers that prevents effective blood pumping. This can rapidly lead to cardiac arrest. Electricity can also cause extensive damage to internal organs and tissues, resulting in severe burns. Even low voltage currents, often harmless in dry conditions, can be deadly in water due to increased conductivity and the efficient pathway the current finds through the body.
Responding to Electrical Incidents in Water
When an electrical incident occurs in water, ensuring rescuer safety is vital. Never enter the water to retrieve a victim, as the water may be energized, risking another life. The immediate action should be to cut off the power source, if possible, by turning off the main breaker or unplugging the device.
Once power is confirmed off, or if it cannot be immediately disconnected, use a non-conductive object, such as a fiberglass shepherd’s crook or a dry wooden pole, to pull the person from the water. After removing the victim to a safe, dry area, immediately call emergency services. If the person is not breathing or has no pulse, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) without delay. Even if the victim appears to recover or is conscious, they require immediate medical evaluation for potential internal injuries.
Preventing Water-Related Electrical Hazards
Preventing electrical hazards in and around water involves several safety measures. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) protect against electric shock by monitoring electricity flow and quickly shutting off power if an imbalance is detected. Installing and regularly testing GFCIs on outlets near water sources, such as in bathrooms, kitchens, outdoors, and around pools, significantly reduces electrocution risk.
Exercise caution with electrical appliances near water; keep them at least six feet away, and opt for battery-operated devices when possible. Avoid swimming during thunderstorms, as lightning can strike the water and spread electrical current across a wide area. Awareness of potential electrical sources, like faulty wiring on boat docks or in marinas, is important to minimize risks in natural bodies of water.