New TikTok Trend Causing Deaths on Alabama Waters
A recent internet challenge has led to multiple deaths this year.
The challenge, popularized on the social media site TikTok, shows individuals engaging in dangerous water activities.
Boating Accidents
TikTok has seen its fair share of dangerous or deadly challenges.
Back in 2018 the "Tide Pod Challenge" saw individuals--mostly young people--consuming the brightly-colored laundry detergent pods.
Tide Pod
In 2021, the "Milk Crate Challenge" went viral. The trend showcased people attempting to walk up and down a staircase of milk crates.
This dangerous activity resulted in many injuries from falls.
Since then, social media sites have cracked down on videos depicting dangerous challenges. Current searches for these trends lead to preventative safety screens.
TikTok Tide Pod Warning
These efforts have done little to prevent the spread of more dangerous challenges, though.
The most recent one is called "#boatjumping." This challenge involves jumping into the water at high speeds off of a moving boat.
@nataliejillfit Summer fun … I should have jumped too #lakenorman #speedboat #summertime #summerfun #boatjump #boatjumping ♬ Astronaut In The Ocean - Masked Wolf
A report from WVTM 13 News stated that this activity contributed to the deaths of four people in Shelby County.
The article featured an interview with Capt. Jim Dennis with the Childersburg Rescue Squad. Dennis revealed that the victims "literally broke their neck and, you know, basically an instant death."
@jj_le1 # boating #water #jumpingchallenge #graduation ♬ original sound - Jj le
The Alabama Department of Public Health stated on their website that 37% of drownings occurred in open bodies of water.
Furthermore, reports from the Coast Guard revealed the "leading contributor" in fatal boating accidents was alcohol.
Alabama residents are advised to stay safe and cautious on the lakes this summer.