Boating season is underway, with thousands of people taking to the water for fun and fishing. When it comes to boating-related hazards, sunburns and drowning come to mind, but Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) says boaters should also be mindful of electrical dangers.

One potential hazard not often discussed is Electric Shock Drowning (ESD). This occurs when electrical current leaks from boats or marina equipment into the water. This low level alternating current passes through the body of a nearby swimmer with sufficient force to cause skeletal muscular paralysis, causing the victim to drown. According to the Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association, ESD occurs in fresh water and the majority of ESD deaths have occurred near public and private marinas and docks.