Pastor electrocuted in baptistry

Pastors routinely use a microphones during baptisms.
BE AWARE!

He might have been saved if the church had an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

They can be purchased for as little as $1200.

Rob

 

Hanging the microphone from the ceiling where it can't be reached by wet hands is another idea.

That's where it is at my church.

 

That is surely a tragedy.

BTW, any electrical outlet that is able to reach water must be protected by a GFCI power source. This is generally in the building codes and is easy and cheap to do. This kind of tragedy is easily remedied by a GFCI outlet or GFCI panel breaker between ANYTHING that MIGHT reach water and the electrical source back at the box. That goes for in the home also.

 

I don't mean to belittle this situation, necause it's such a tragedy, but useing an electrical device near water is one of the stupidest things a person can do, not to mention most preventable.

A remote wireless microphone (they're incredibly cheap) or a GFCI (just a few bucks) would have easily have prevented this.

Deaths in these circumstances are extremely rare, but injuries are exceedingly common. I've heard of a few "shocking baptism" stories over the years. They were only funny because no one was permamently hurt.

 

Very sad story. I have never used a microphone from the baptistry, and for sure will not now.

The heaters that go in the baptistry have always scared me.

 

Before I baptize---I "personally" turn off the water pump AND heater. But I sure had no idea that a microphone would carry enough "juice" to kill a person. I have a wireless microphone on a portable stand in front of the pool---and I "personally" adjust it accordingly BEFORE I get in the pool.

We can pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will make His presence real to this family tonight in His name!! Amen!!

Bro. David

 

The latest that I have heard is that he grabbed a wired mic by mistake rather than a wireless. I do sound system work and I was in absolute shock when we heard last night. Never should any one take a mic of any kind into a baptistry, wired or wireless. A good condensor mic in pulpit style mounted in front of the baptistry is the only way to go if you are not going to hang the mic. We are in prayer for this church and family.

 

My pastor baptizes outdoors, and he tells people to use COMMON SENSE when preparing for baptism, that is, dress appropriately, including footwear, have a change of clothes waiting, & for the congregation to have some blankets ready. A nearby householder always has his home open for the participants to come into & change clothes. Also, there are four strong swimmers stationed near pastor and recipients.

In his first church, he said he had a directional mic stationed a coupla feet from the pool, & the heater/circulation pump was unplugged before anyone entered the water.

My prayers go out for his family and church.

 

we use cold water (no heater, but awful cold for the people), and we can't really hear the preacher because there's no mic at all, either.

they talk loud, and most people come up front to watch the baptisms.

 

My prayers are with the Pastor's family and his congregation.