First Aid Treatment For Electric Shock Injuries
In 2018, it is difficult to imagine life without electricity. In today’s modern society, electricity powers everything in our lives. Every day we rely on currents in the workplace, during travel and, of course, in the home. While most interactions with electricity happen without incident, electric shock can occur in any setting; including industrial and construction sites, manufacturing plants or even your own home. When someone is harmed by an electric shock, it is important to know what steps to take to help the injured person. In addition, you should be aware of the potential risks that come with aiding an electric shock victim and how to help without putting yourself in danger.
What is an electric shock?
If a person comes in to contact with an electrical energy source, electrical energy will flow through a portion of their body causing a shock. The electric current that passes through the body of a person who has experienced an electric shock can cause internal damage, cardiac arrest, burns, fractures and even death.
You will experience an electrical shock if part of your body completes an electrical circuit by:
Touching a live wire and an electrical ground, or
Touching a live wire and another wire at a different voltage.
The danger of electric shock depends on a variety of factors. First, the type of current the victim is exposed to, Altering Current or Direct Current. The pathway the electricity traveled through the body and how high the voltage is will also affect the level of potential dangers. Last, the person’s overall health and the amount of time it takes to treat the injured person will also influence the level of danger.
What do I do if I witness someone getting shocked?
Witnessing an electric shock can unsettle anyone. Knowing first aid treatment for electric shock in such a situation will help you keep calm for a better chance at successfully aiding the victim.
Call 911 immediately if the source of the burn is a high-voltage wire or if the following signs and symptoms occur:
Heart rhythm problems
Muscle pain and contractions
Numbness and tingling
Secure the environment following an electric shock injury
For most of us, our impulse is to rush over to the injured in an attempt to save them. However, taking those steps in this type of incident may only worsen the situation. Reacting without thinking can cause you to get an electrical shock. Remember that your own safety comes first. After all, you cannot help if you get electrocuted yourself.
Do not move a person who has been electrocuted unless they are in immediate danger. If they fell from a height or they sustained a severe shock, they may have sustained multiple injuries including a serious neck injury. It is best to wait for emergency medical professionals to arrive and avoid injuring the person further.
First, stop and look around at the area where the incident occurred to look for any obvious dangers. Don’t touch the injured person with your bare hands if they are still in contact with the electrical current because the electricity can flow through the victim and into you.
Don’t get near high-voltage wires until the power is turned off. If possible, shut off the electrical current as long as it is safe to do so. You may do this by shutting off the current at the power box, the circuit breaker or the fuse box.
If, and only if the electricity has been shut off, you want to try and separate the victim from the source. Once you are certain that there is no current, separate the victim from the source by using a non-conducting object such as a wooden stick or rubber mat.
First aid while waiting for medical help
Now that neither you nor the injured party are at risk of another electric shock try to prevent the victim from getting chills and going into shock. Cover the injured person in a blanket. It is best to wrap the person in a thermal blanket to try to keep the temperature regulated. Do not cover the body if there are wounds or untreated burns.
If the person is not moving and showing signs of circulation 