Electric Shock

Electric shock occurs when an electric current flows through the body. The human body is made up of 60% to 70% water. This makes it a good conductor of electricity. Burns, damage to internal organs, heart rhythm problems, and death can result from electric shock.

Signs & Symptoms

• Shocking sensations. Numbness or tingling. A change in vision, speech, or in any sensation.

• Burns or open wounds. These occur where the electricity enters and exits the body.

• Muscle spasms or contractions.

• Sudden immobility or fractures. A body part may looked deformed.

• Interrupted breathing. Irregular heartbeats or chest pain.

• Seizures.

• Unconsciousness.

A small child who bites or sucks on an electric cord can have a facial injury or distinct burn around the rim of the mouth.

Causes

• Touching a high-voltage (more than 1,000 volts) source, such as high-tension wires that fall during a storm. Touching someone who is still touching a live current. Touching a low-voltage (less than 1,000 volts) current source, such as an electric socket or worn cord.

• Mixing water and electricity.

• Being struck by lightning. A bolt of lightning carries as many as 30 million volts.

Treatment

Contact with electricity from a high-voltage wire or being struck by lightning needs emergency medical care. Contact with electricity from a low-voltage current needs emergency medical care if any signs or symptoms listed on page 373 are present. A person who does not have any symptoms should still see a doctor to check for possible internal injuries.

To Avoid Being Harmed by Lightning

• Heed weather warnings.

• Take shelter in a building, if you can.

• Stay in your car (if it is not a convertible) rather than out in the open.

• If you are caught outside, avoid tall trees, open water, metal objects, and high ground. Crawl into a low-lying place or curl up on the ground, head to knees with your head touching the ground.

Do any of these problems occur?

• The person is still in contact with the electric source or was in contact with a high-voltage wire.

• The person was struck by lightning.

• The person is not breathing.

After having an electric shock, are any of these problems present?

• Cough with phlegm. Fever. Headache.

• Wounds are not healing.

• Tetanus shots are not up-to-date.

Beware! Do not put yourself in danger to give first aid. Do not touch the person until power is shut off.

• If the source is a high-voltage wire or lightning, call 9-1-1!

• It is safe to touch a person struck by lightning.

• If the source is a low-voltage current, remove the fuse or switch off the circuit breaker to the electrical outlet.

• If you can’t shut off the source, with dry feet and hands, use a board, wooden stick, rope, etc. to get the person away from the source.

• If it is safe for you to touch the person, check for Circulation Signs. Do Rescue Breathing, CPR, or treat for Shock, as needed.

• Unless it is absolutely necessary, don’t move the person. He or she could have a traumatic injury, especially to the head or neck.

• Check for burns. Cover burned areas with dry, sterile dressings.

• Give first aid for Shock, if needed.

• Stay clear of fallen wires. Inform the police, electric company, etc.

• Install ground-fault circuit-interrupters (GFCIs) in wall outlets of bathrooms, kitchens, etc. With GFCIs, when an electrical appliance falls into water, the current is instantly cut off.

• Don’t turn electrical switches on or off or touch an electric appliance while your hands are wet, while standing in water, or when sitting in a bathtub.

• Replace worn cords and wiring.

• Cover all electric sockets with plastic safety caps.

• Before you do electrical repairs, remove the fuse from the fuse box or switch off the circuit breaker. Don’t just turn off the appliance or light switch.

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