Summer, swimming and boating are all synonymous with having a good time on the water. Whether you are on a boat or on a dock, when the heat of the sun kicks into high gear, your first impulse is to head for the water.   Swimming off a boat or dock can be refreshing, but safety has to be the first consideration. Unfortunately, it is the swimming accidents and statistics about these accidents that stick in our minds.   What to do if you see Electric Shock Drowning   According to ESFI, The Electrical Safety Foundation International, a premier non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace, the following should regarding potential Electric Shock Drowning:     Do not enter the water.     • Turn off the source of power     • Call 911     • Use an insulated device (such as fiberglass rescue crook) to attempt to remove the victim from the water     If a swimmer is experiencing difficulty, such as paralysis, don't let anyone jump in the water! Get the dock power turned off immediately. Most docks have an emergency shut off switch. Contact your dockmaster for its location, or about getting one installed. Anyone using the dock should know where the emergency switch is located.   To assist the swimmer who has been shocked, get a nonmetal device. Stay away from the dock's metal swim ladders.     Electricity can seep into the water from a boat, hot tub, pool or marina. Swimmers can also experience electric shock when reaching for a metal ladder (mentioned above) that has been in the water with electrical current.   The Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and educating people on the risks of electric shock drowning, has recorded 84 cases in the U.S. since 1986. It may seem like a low number of fatalities, but if it is someone you love who dies, one death is too many.   The best way to avoid electric shock is to install ground fault devices on power sources at the breaker. A ground fault device protects the entire power source from its start and prevents the current from following any unintended paths during a ground fault (contact between an energized conductor and the ground).   Swimming off the dock in a marina.             Please don't do it. It is a dangerous adventure that can quickly turn fatal. Electric Shock Drowning (ESD), will most likely be fatal. It happens when 120-volt AC (alternating current) from nearby boats, or docks electrocutes or incapacitates swimmers in freshwater. As swimmers enter the water the electricity  paralyzes their muscles, causing the person to drown.     Swimming off a boat                               Electric Shock Drowning happens in freshwater and many times involves a swimmer making contact with a metal ladder that is electrically charged. If a swimmer is attempting to board your boat and feels any tingling or paralysis:     • don't jump in the water     • turn off all power on the boat     • Call 911, the marine police, coast guard, or coastguard auxiliary to get help underway.      • Use wooden oars or some nonmetal objects to rescue the swimmer.   More safety features when swimming off a boat       • With swimmers in the water, one adult who knows how to operate the boat should be on board at all times.    • All engines should be off before swimmers enter the water    • A flotation device attached to a tow rope or line secured to the boat should be in the water for a swimmer to grab if needed.        Keeping your boat safe   Talk to marina owners or operators about the danger of ESD. Ask your marina operator to prohibit swimming at their facility and post signs. Ask marina operators if they are aware of and following the guidelines from NFPA 303 (Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards) and National Electric Code (NEC) 555. Never use household extension cords on your boat. Shore power cords meeting UL standards are required. Your boat can be tested and inspected for electricity leaks by a qualified electrician trained to ABYC standards. Whether in freshwater or saltwater, never dive on your boat for repairs while connected to shore power. ESD How does it happen              ESD is caused by alternating current (AC) flowing through fresh water encountering a human body. The current tries to pass through the body and causes skeletal muscular paralysis, which ultimately results in a drowning. The above picture shows you how the current flows.     There are many devices that can be installed in the water near your boat, dock or pool to detect electrical leaks that could lead to electric shock. One example is. It is used for boats, pools, and marinas. The ShockAlarm is easy to test and continually monitors while in the water. One user said it had detected electricity in the water on several occasions before swimmers were about to enter. Users suggest that this alarm is in the water at all times when swimmers are present.   Swimming during the summer or anytime should be enjoyable, refreshing, and safe. Have a great summer on the water.   Fair Winds. Smooth Sailing.   ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please contact CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/. Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com ©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com, 2020  

CLR Marine carries Solas® Amita 3-Blade Mercury 6-15hp aluminum boat propellers that utilize a state-of-the-art squeeze-casting process & makes these aluminum boat propellers stronger and tougher than traditional die-cast boat propellers.  To learn more visit this link. We also have a custom propeller search tool, making it SUPER EASY to find your replacement propeller today!

Adjustable Transom Saver - Composite - Roller/Bolt Protect your investment with Attwood Transom Savers. A lifted outboard puts hundreds of foot-pounds of pressure on the transom - especially during trailering Protect your boat and engine with Attwood Transom Savers: Support the cantilevered weight of the motor Stabilize engine and steering mechanism when trailering The Attwood Difference: Tough components - You'll get long life from our adjustable toggles with replaceable rubber pads WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Pro Model Stretch 12" & 6" Set The Pro Model Rod Savers are designed to keep rods at the ready so they're within easy reach. The Pro Series is longer than the Original Rod Saver and includes a durable elastic band to accommodate more rods. Includes a set of stainless steel mounting screws.

Dock Saver Dock Tie-Down The Dock Strap Tie-Down is simple, quick and easy. Simply place the loops over the dock and boat cleats, quickly tighten the slack with the thumb lever cam buckle and you are done. No knots, no tangled ropes. Adjustable from 2' to 10'.

Adjustable Transom Saver The transom saver adjusts from 28 in. to 59 in. to reach where others will not on hard to access trailer crossbars that extend under the boat. Comes with easy to install bracket attachment. Fits most popular brands of trailers and is easily removed for loading and unloading. Features: Adjustable from 28 in. to 59 in. Includes bracket attachment Fits most trailer brands Easily removable

Imagine a warm Saturday evening at your local sailing club. Three boats motor out to the middle of the moonlit lake and raft up. The one in the middle drops its anchor to keep the raft in place. Everyone puts on a swimsuit and jumps over the side. The lake is fed by a river and you can feel the cool stream of water as it moves past your body. Once you are sufficiently cooled off, you swim up to the boat to get back in board and, looking up, see that the top of the transom looks as high as the Eifel Tower. How in the world are you going to pull yourself out of the water, over the side, and on board? No problem, you say. Well, if you haven't tried it you have no idea just how hard that act can be. This is particularly true for young children, and for older folks. And just to scare you some more, entire crews have succumbed to hypothermia after jumping over the side of a sailboat that drifted in a total calm in the middle of the ocean, just because no-body thought about a  boarding ladder or at least dropping a line over the side.   Boarding or swim ladders should be listed as necessities, not just to climb back on board after taking a dip, but also to have as means of getting crew back on board after getting in involuntarily. The issue is a bit less pressing on modern boats with built-in transom steps, but it is still a good idea to have at least a collapsible, removable ladder on board. Swim ladders come in a wide variety of styles but there are a few designs features to consider for usability and practicality, especially on a trailerable boat. Use ladders with hull stand-offs that provide more stability. There should be at least a couple of rungs extended down below the water surface, which makes it easier to get a foot on the bottom rung, to push the body weight up, especially for a fully clothed person who fell in the water. Many boats have folding boarding ladders attached to the transom. A folding ladder is an excellent solution to both routine and emergency re-boarding. Every high-sided boat should have grab rails or steps located at the transom. This will allow a person to hang on while re-boarding. If you thought this blog post was helpful or informative, stay tuned for more content on everything boat related. If you are looking for supplies for your boat, head over CLR Marine's product page for a list of high-quality boat supplies.

Retractable Transom Tie-Down Bracket - Universal This Rod Saver Universal Mounting Bracket Kit is designed to convert most trailer's existing mounting tabs to accommodate Rod Saver's RT40 Retractable  This unique three-sided bracket design allows the RT40 to be mounted on several different trailer configurations.

Retractable Transom Tie-Down Bracket - 80 Degree RTB 80 Retractable Transom Tie-Down Optional 8 Degree Bracket. This Rod Saver Universal Mounting Bracket Kit is designed to convert most trailer's existing mounting tabs to accommodate Rod Saver's RT40 & RT50 Retractables. This 3 sided 80 degree bracket is ideal for tight fits and flatbed and box trailers and can be mounted with several different trailer configurations.

Light Saver A convenient way to hold your running lights. 2 straps with the foam inserts create a tie-down system that can be mounted anywhere and keep your running lights secure.

Pole Saver Prevents valuable fishing gear from being lost forever. Ideal for children and people with disabilities. The quick release buckle allows for easy disconnect for fishing with multiple poles. A must for every fisherman.  

Pro Model Stretch 12 Inch Single Strap The Pro Model Rod Savers are designed to keep rods at the ready so they're within easy reach. The Pro Series is longer than the Original Rod Saver and includes a durable elastic band to accommodate more rods. Holds up to 7 rods. Includes a set of stainless steel mounting screws.

Pro Model Stretch 14" Single Strap The Pro Model Rod Savers are designed to keep rods at the ready so they're within easy reach.   The Pro Series is longer than the Original Rod Saver and includes a durable elastic band to accommodate more rods.  Holds up to 8 rods.  Includes a set of stainless steel mounting screws.

Pro Model Stretch 14" & 8" Set The Pro Model Rod Savers are designed to keep rods at the ready so they're within easy reach.  The Pro Series is longer than the Original Rod Saver and includes a durable elastic band to accommodate more rods. Includes a set of stainless steel mounting screws. 

Adjustable Heavy-Duty Transom Saver - 24"-36" Protect your investment with Attwood Transom Savers. A lifted outboard puts hundreds of foot-pounds of pressure on the transom - especially during trailering. Features: Support the cantilevered weight of the motor Stabilize engine and steering mechanism when trailering The Attwood Difference: Tough components - You'll get long life from our adjustable toggles with replaceable rubber pads