1982, with 2 deaths and 10 persons receiving injuries serious enough to require admission to a hospital. The authors attributed these accidents to poor training, use of homemade equipment or equipment in poor working condition, and failure to follow simple safety guidelines. However, the fact that electrofishing has been used to collect fish for nearly 90 years (Cowx and Lamarque, 1990) is an indication that it can be conducted in a safe manner with minimal risk to crew members if proper safety procedures are followed.
Certification and training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and electrofishing equipment is an important and essential component of safety. Respiratory arrest or asphyxia (caused by contracted chest muscles) are common physiological responses to electrical shock. All electrofishing crew members are required to become certified in CPR, which can be used to restore breathing. Following certification in CPR, study-unit biologists and at least one additional member of the field crew must become certified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the use of electrofishing gear. Once certified in CPR and the use of electrofishing gear, study-unit biologists are responsible for training all electrofishing crew members in the safe operation of electrofishing gear. No individual can participate on an electrofishing crew who has not been certified in CPR and received training in the safe operation of electrofishing gear. The crew leader is designated to be in charge of crew safety and is responsible fo r ensuring that only trained individuals participate as crew members. In addition, the crew leader is responsible for ensuring that a safety checklist (fig. 2) is completed prior to sampling, that periodic safety inspections are conducted, and that an em ergency plan is developed that includes a documented route to medical facilities.
Only commercially built electrofishing gear in good working condition should be used; homemade electrofishing gear should never be used to collect fish. Unlike most homemade gear, commercially designed units have many safety features built into the equipment. All equipment should receive periodic maintenance and inspection to ensure proper working condition. Equipment should never be altered or modified in such a way that creates the potential for an accident. For example, automatic shut-off or "deadman" switches must be kept in proper working order and must never be modified so that the electrical current cannot be turned off. Dip nets must be made of nonconducting material (fiberglass, polyvinyl chloride tubing, or nylon), and aluminum dip nets must not be used. All crew members must wear rubber gloves and waders. Rubber gloves should cover the forearm for maximum protection. Chest waders with nonslip soles should be worn when using wadeable methods; hip boots are preferable when boat electrof ishing. Gloves and waders should be inspected for leaks before entering the water.
Safety guidelines must be followed to ensure safe operation of electrofishing gear. These guidelines include important rules for field operations, such as (1) leaving the water immediately if waders or gloves develop leaks; (2) avoiding operation of electrofishing equipment near people, pets, livestock, or wildlife that are in or near the water; (3) ceasing operations in inclement weather (moderate to heavy rain, lightning, or thunderstorms); (4) resting often to avoid fatigue; (5) making all electrical connections or disconnections while the unit is turned off; and (6) refueling generators with equipment turned off and when surfaces have cooled. Most importantly, all crew members should be alert and conscious of potential hazards, act in a professional manner, and use common sense. Additional