Key Takeaways

On June 11, a couple was electrocuted in a hot tub at a resort in Mexico, tragically resulting in the husband’s death, according to astatementposted to Facebook from the state of Sonora. The couple was identified as Jorge Guillen and Lizette Zambrano of El Paso.

In aninterviewwith ABC News, Zambrano shared that the couple decided to get into the hot tub along with their son and a cousin. Shortly after, the couple felt the first shock.

“The last thing I remember him saying is, ‘Oh sh—t.’ And it’s the same time that I felt the first electric shock, and then it happened over and over and over, and I didn’t hear him again,” said Zambrano.

The investigation into the cause of the hot tub electrocution is ongoing, but experts say there are some things you should know about your chances of getting electrocuted in a pool or hot tub and how to keep yourself safe this summer.

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What Are the Chances of Getting Electrocuted in a Pool or Hot Tub?

The likelihood of someone being electrocuted in a properly installed and maintained pool or hot tub is relatively low,Robert Schwaner, MD, medical director of the Department of Emergency Medicine and Chief of the Division of Toxicology at Stony Brook University Hospital, told Verywell.

“It’s not very common, thankfully,” said Schwaner. “There’s been as few as zero in a year and as many as five, but usually it’s like one or two a year—in the U.S., that is.”

“In other countries, there’s different codes for what you can and can’t [install], for where a light socket can be placed and where it can’t be placed, etc.,” said Schwaner.

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How Do You Know If You’re Being Electrocuted?

Electrocution occurs when an electrical current enters and goes through your body, according toJeffrey Elder, MD, an emergency medicine physician at LCMC Health, told Verywell. You may feel a sharp pain or burning sensation or experience muscle spasms, numbness, burns, or evencardiac arrest.

“There may be contact burns at the site of the current entering and leaving the body or damage to deep muscles where the electrical energy passes through the body,” said Elder.

Schwaner added that minor shocks from light or weak currents may cause a tingling sensation and that “you generally wouldn’t feel pain, per se, but you’ll feel tingling.”

If the current is stronger, you might not have any warning signs at all other than pain and tetany— the locking up of muscles that prevents you from moving, according to Schwaner.

If you feel an electric shock, Elder said that you need to immediately get out of the water and move away from the source (if you know what it is). It’s also crucial to avoid contact with any materials that can conduct electricity, including metal and aluminum ladders or railings.

Afterward, Elder said to “dry off, tell others to avoid the hazard, and shut off electricity via the breaker, if the location is known,” to prevent further risk.

If someone is being electrocuted, immediately turn off all power sources connected to or near the pool or hot tub, or contact the appropriate authorities to do so, according to Schwaner. Call 911 and use a non-conducive, carbon fiber rod (such as a fiberglass shepherd’s crook or rescue hook) to carefully loop around the person’s body and pull them to safety.

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What Treatment After Electrocution Looks Like

Elder said that if symptoms, such as prolonged burning, pain, rapidheartbeat, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, or chest pain, last for more than a few seconds after electrocution, it is crucial to call 911 and get to an ER as soon as possible.

The treatment for electrocution depends on the source and how bad the injuries are but can include pain medication, intravenous (IV) fluids,nutrition support, nonsurgical treatments like antibiotic ointment and bandages, or even surgicalskin graftsfor severe burns.

How to Treat Electric Shocks

How Electrocution in Pools or Hot Tubs Happens

The first step to preventing electrocution in a water environment like a pool or hot tub is understanding why it happens.

Some common potential causes of electrocution in pools or hot tubs include faulty underwater lighting, ungrounded sump pumps, issues with filters, defective wiring, or exposed wires, according to Elder.

Cutler said other factors can increase the risk of electrocution:

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How to Stay Safe in a Hot Tub or Pool

By taking precautions, such as “regular electrical inspections, proper use of applications, installation of GFCIs, and keeping electrical devices away from the water, you can significantly reduce the risk of electrocution,” said Cutler.

Here are some other things you can do to prevent electrocution and stay safe, according to Cutler:

“By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the generally low risk of electrocution and ensure a safe environment around your home pool or spa,” said Cutler.

What This Means For You

2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Consumer Product Safety Commission.Don’t swim with shocks: electrical safety in and around pools, spas, and hot tubs.University of South Carolina.Rescue procedures.

2 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Consumer Product Safety Commission.Don’t swim with shocks: electrical safety in and around pools, spas, and hot tubs.University of South Carolina.Rescue procedures.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Consumer Product Safety Commission.Don’t swim with shocks: electrical safety in and around pools, spas, and hot tubs.University of South Carolina.Rescue procedures.

Consumer Product Safety Commission.Don’t swim with shocks: electrical safety in and around pools, spas, and hot tubs.

University of South Carolina.Rescue procedures.

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