An American tourist lost his life and his wife sustained severe injuries in a tragic electrocution incident at a Mexican beach resort earlier this week. This calamity has prompted the family to file a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against the resort operators, according to their lawyers.

Electrocuted in Hot Tub: Incident Details

The incident occurred at the Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, a popular vacation destination roughly an hour south of the U.S. border. The couple, 43-year-old Jorge Guillen and 35-year-old Lizette Zambrano, were enjoying a relaxing evening in the hot tub when the tragedy unfolded.

According to the lawsuit, the couple had just arrived at the resort with several family members for their vacation. Guillen and Zambrano went to the hot tub to watch the sunset over the sea, unaware of the deadly electric current running through the water. As soon as Guillen dipped his foot into the hot tub, he was immediately electrocuted and trapped underwater. In a desperate attempt to save him, Zambrano jumped in but was also electrocuted.

Lawsuit Filed

Zambrano, who survived but was critically injured, filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages against the U.S.-based resort operators, Casago International and High Desert Travel. Filed from her hometown of El Paso, Texas, the lawsuit claims that the resort’s faulty electrical wiring in the hot tub was responsible for Guillen’s death and her severe injuries.

The lawsuit also alleges that the resort management failed to warn guests about the hazards of the hot tub and did not respond swiftly to the emergency. The video footage from the incident shows chaotic scenes as other guests tried to help the couple, only to realize the danger posed by the electrified water. One guest managed to pull Zambrano from the water, but efforts to rescue Guillen with poles and metal tools resulted in more electric shocks to others.

Legal and Corporate Responses

Tej Paranjpe, an attorney at Houston-based PMR Law representing Zambrano, criticized the resort staff for their inaction during the critical moments when Guillen was continuously shocked underwater. He stated that it took ten minutes for the resort workers to respond, and by then, it was too late to save Guillen.

In response to the lawsuit, Jim Ringquist, sales director for Sonoran Resorts Inc., expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He also noted the unexpected death of the company’s CEO, Fernando Anaya, from a heart attack, further compounding the sadness surrounding the situation.

Investigation and Community Reaction

Mexican prosecutors in Sonora are investigating the cause of the electrical failure and plan to conduct field visits in the coming days. They aim to uncover the origin of the malfunction and ensure such a tragedy does not happen again.

A GoFundMe campaign launched to support Zambrano has raised over $55,000 as of June 19. The campaign describes Guillen as having “a heart of gold” and being a pillar of support for his family and friends. “The love they shared was one for ages,” the campaign states.

Hot Tub Electrocutions: Safety and Statistics

Electrocutions in hot tubs, while rare, are not unheard of and typically result from faulty underwater lighting or defective pumps. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission reported 33 involving injuries or deaths in hot tubs, pools, and spas between 2002 and 2018. Last June, a man in Phoenix died from an apparent electrocution while repairing a hot tub in a fitness center.

Experts emphasize the importance of proper maintenance and vigilance to prevent such tragedies. Ensuring that all electrical equipment is properly installed and regularly inspected can significantly reduce the risk of electrocution in recreational water settings.

As the leading manufacturer of automatic pool cleaners, Polaris invented the pressure-side pool cleaner over 50 years ago and is known for continually innovating the newest technologies in pool cleaning. The Polaris Spabot carries on that legacy, and for the first time, gives homeowners an automatic option to keeping their spa clean.

“Before now, homeowners still had to clean their portable hot tub or in-ground spa manually,” said Sarah Martin, Polaris’ product manager for robotic cleaners. “With Spabot, they no longer need to stand there with a clunky cleaner in hand vacuuming up dirt and debris, they can just drop it in, walk away and return to a clean spa an hour later.”

Providing the ultimate hands-free convenience of automatic cleaning, Spabot is completely cordless. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it cleans the entire spa or hot tub in just 60 minutes — scrubbing surfaces and collecting debris like sand and silt, as well as leaves and pine needles within its Easy-Clean filter canister.

In order to navigate the small confines and curvature of spas and hot tubs, Polaris developed SpaNav™ Technology, a unique guidance system that enables Spabot to maneuver out of tight spaces by floating up and diving back down to resume cleaning.  As Spabot dips, dives, crawls and climbs, it moves with ease over floors, walls, benches and concave seating to keep those warm water sanctuaries clean.

Easy to operate, Polaris Spabot can be turned on with the simple slide of a button and goes to work once it’s in the water. And, unlike cordless robotic pool cleaners that settle to the bottom awaiting retrieval after the cleaning cycle is complete, Spabot is engineered with Float Finish™ Retrieval, an innovative end-of-cycle buoyancy that allows users to grab it at water level. 

Between cleaning, Spabot can be plugged into any indoor outlet where it charges in 4 hours.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives and communities in various ways, including what people have turned to for leisure and recreational activities. Because many had to cancel vacation plans and limit their activities, people explored new ways to enjoy time spent at home. Buying hot tubs and swimming pools to transform their living spaces into private oases became a popular option.

Hot tub sales have seen a significant increase since the pandemic, as they are a more feasible alternative to swimming pools. Hot tubs are more affordable, take up less property space and have relatively lower maintenance requirements – but this does not mean they don’t have the same safety concerns.

The Importance of Hot Tub Safety

Although they are smaller and require less maintenance than swimming pools, hot tubs have significant safety concerns that should never be ignored or neglected.

Proper maintenance including cleaning, water balance checks, inspections and servicing, as well as following safety guidelines and regulations, can help keep those using the hot tub safe while also extending the lifespan of its components.

In honor of the International Code Council’s Building Safety Month campaign, here we address the importance of hot tub maintenance and what you need to know to ensure it remains safe for you, your friends and your family.

Truth #1: Your Hot Tub/Spa Needs to Be Up to Code                       

Hot tubs and spas have codes that address their safety requirements and maintenance. The 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code® (ISPSC) is a comprehensive code that is coordinated with requirements from other International Codes® (I-Codes) and the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA).

This ISPSC sets the minimum safety requirements for hot tub installation, operation and safety. It covers areas such as:

• Proper recirculation rates 
• Proper chemical applications 
• Ideal pH levels 
• Importance of skimmers 
• Suction outlet fitting assembly requirements 
• UL listed portable spa exemptions
• Safety glazing in accordance with hazardous locations
• Electrical requirements

Work with your local building department to ensure you are implementing applicable and up-to-date codes, standards and regulations for your hot tub. They will be able to assist with obtaining any required permits and may be able to help find a reputable contractor.

Most states don’t have, or require, a pool and/or hot tub contractor license. However, regardless of licensing requirements, obtaining a permit can ensure that the contractor includes the plumbing, mechanical and electrical items on the permit.

PHTA also has contractor certifications, which may be a good way for property owners to ensure that the contractor they are using understands the codes and standards that govern the installation and maintenance of hot tubs.

Truth #2: It is Important to Stay in a Safe Temperature Range

Even though you may be tempted to crank up the heat in your hot tub, staying within the recommended temperature range can both prevent the risk of pathogens and pollutants and reduce the risk of burning or dehydration. 

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the safest temperature range for a hot tub is between 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature should never exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Maintaining this safe temperature range, combined with proper maintenance and periodic water testing, can help prevent the growth of pathogens. The elevated temperatures create an unlivable environment for many microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses.

The higher temperatures can also help enhance the effectiveness of sanitation measures. For example, if the hot tub water is treated with chlorine, the sanitation process would be accelerated at a higher temperature, allowing for more efficient removal of pathogens in the water.

The higher temperatures can also affect sanitation and chemicals being applied to the water. For example, if the hot tub water is treated with chlorine, that chlorine could be converted to chloramine faster, requiring additional chlorine to be added. 

Chlorine acts as an oxidizer, attacking contaminants and destroying them. While the chlorine is working, the chemical reaction will produce chloramines. These chloramines are what can give hot tub water a smell. Chloramines are a type of combined chlorine that form in water and then off gas into the air above the water.  These chloramines can build up in the hot tub water, adversely affecting the air quality surrounding the hot tub location.

Furthermore, most spa and hot tub manufacturers recommend bromine, not chlorine, when operating with higher temperatures. Bromine won’t dissipate as quickly at the higher temperatures, and the pH level will have a greater effect on the chlorine than temperature. 

The Lie: You Can Go Chemical-Free  

Chemicals are necessary in hot tubs to kill harmful bacteria and maintain safe water levels. Common chemicals that are used to treat hot tubs and spas are:

• Chlorine is used to kill bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms to maintain clean and safe water conditions.
• Hot Tub Shock is used to kill contaminants and restore water clarity by oxidizing and breaking down unwanted substances.
• Alkalinity Increaser is used to raise the total alkalinity of the water.
• pH Increaser and Decreaser is used to adjust the pH level of the water. The ideal pH range for a hot tub is typically between 7.2 and 7.8.
• Calcium Hardness Increaser isused when the calcium level is too low. Maintaining proper calcium hardness levels helps prevent the water from becoming corrosive.
• Line Flush Cleaner is used to remove built-up residue, oils and contaminants from plumbing lines to prevent potential clogs or blockages.

When using these chemicals, it is essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and local health regulations regarding the use and dosage in hot tubs. Improper use of chemicals can lead to imbalanced water chemistry, skin irritation or other health issues.

Chemicals should also be stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and in a separate location from an equipment room. Chemicals can potentially reduce the lifespan of hot tub equipment due to the adverse air quality condition created when storing them.

Creating a Safe Home Environment

If you are considering purchasing a hot tub, or if you already have one, it is essential that you ensure it is maintained correctly. By educating yourself and following applicable safety measures, you can create a relaxing and enjoyable environment at home while safeguarding the health and well-being of yourself and others.

The Code Council has several resources and tools available to help maintain a safe home environment that can be found on the Building Safety Month website.