Electric shock drowning (ESD) is a form of waterborne fatality that involves paralysis of the body caused by AC current.  The ultimate result is that a person in the water becomes unable to swim and often drowns as a result.  This current is produced by voltage gradients in the water which are caused by electrical faults in the marine environment.  Since saltwater is so conductive, the voltage gradients in salt water are normally low enough so as not to present a danger to people in the water.  Our research has revealed that this only occurs in freshwater and includes 45 deaths and more than a hundred casualties. The Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association has more information about this issue or you can learn more below.