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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2025 - 2026
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 2, 2024 10:23 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Jay Costa and Sen. Camera Bartolotta |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Electric Shock Drowning Prevention |
| In the near future, we will be introducing legislation that will help prevent electric shock drowning. Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) is the result of the passage of a typically low-level AC current through the body with sufficient force to cause skeletal-muscular paralysis, rendering the victim unable to help themself while immersed in fresh water, eventually resulting in drowning of the victim. Higher levels of AC current in the water will also result in electrocution. ESD has become the catch-all phrase that encompasses all in-water shock casualties and fatalities. Although ESD can occur virtually in any location where electricity is provided near water, the majority of ESD deaths have occurred in public and private marinas and docks. The typical victim is a child swimming in or around a marina or dock where electricity is present. The electricity that enters the water and causes ESD originates from the wiring of the dock or marina, or from boats that are connected to the marina’s or dock’s power supply. The exact number of victims is unknown in part because these deaths are often not recognized as an ESD. Often, victims of ESD present other conditions that lead to misdiagnosis of the cause. Further complicating the collection of ESD death data, the electricity that caused the incident may no longer be present as the source may be intermittent. Our legislation will require all boat docks and marina operations comply with the following:
ESD is a preventable accident and with proper safety measures can be greatly reduced or even eliminated in the Commonwealth. Please join us in sponsoring this legislation. |
Memo Updated: December 2, 2024 10:32 AM