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Old 25-06-2018, 17:47   #1
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Swimming around Freshwater docks: Shock Danger

I will in the future never swim and advise to never
swim around docks because of possible electric shock
but no where in the discussions
was it said what is considered to be a minimum safe distance
with scientific certainty. Is 50 yards safe? 100 yards?
The bigger problem I see is the possibility that "work"
needs to be done on the bottom or rear of the boat
while it is in the water perhaps in a slip at the marina.

It would be very problematic to take a non running boat
away from the docks by paddling to do the work and
then paddling back. How far must we paddle the boat
from the marina to be safe ?

I'm only halfway kidding... could you connect a ground wire
to a swimmer ?
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Old 25-06-2018, 20:53   #2
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Re: Swimming around Freshwater docks: Shock Danger

Quote:
Originally Posted by preventec47 View Post
I will in the future never swim and advise to never
swim around docks because of possible electric shock
but no where in the discussions
was it said what is considered to be a minimum safe distance
with scientific certainty. Is 50 yards safe? 100 yards?
The bigger problem I see is the possibility that "work"
needs to be done on the bottom or rear of the boat
while it is in the water perhaps in a slip at the marina.

It would be very problematic to take a non running boat
away from the docks by paddling to do the work and
then paddling back. How far must we paddle the boat
from the marina to be safe ?

I'm only halfway kidding... could you connect a ground wire
to a swimmer ?

150 yards is often quoted, but much depends on the specific fault. I believe there have been cases >100 feet from the fault.


A local ground would only increase the field strength around the swimmer. Don't do that.


The problem is that in fresh water, the human body is far more conductive than the water--you become the shortcut. In seawater that salt makes the water more conductive and swimming is safer. I have never read of a documented case of ESD in a recreational saltwater marina, but I would be very interested if anyone has information to post.


That said, electricity is not the only hazard.
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