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This article was co-written by Chris M. Matsko, MD. Dr. Matsko is a retired physician with offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was awarded the University of Pittsburgh Cornell’s Distinguished Leadership Award. He received his PhD from Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. He holds a Research Diploma from AMWA in 2016 and a Medical Content Writing & Editing Certificate from the University of Chicago in 2017.
There are 20 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 7,406 times.
Electric shock occurs when electric current flows through the body. The consequences of electric shock can vary widely, from numbness to instant death. Knowing what to do in the event of an electric shock can mean the difference between life and death.
Steps
Guaranteed Safety
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Observe the accident area carefully. You may want to rush to the rescue, but, if the danger of electric shock persists, you will only injure yourself. Take some time to assess the scene and note any obvious hazards. [1] X Research Source
- Check the power supply. Observe whether the victim is still exposed to the power source. Remember that electric current can pass from the victim into you.
- Never use water, even in the event of a fire, because water can conduct electricity.
- Do not enter an area where electrical equipment is active while the floor is wet.
- Use a fire extinguisher specifically designed for electrical fires. Electric fire extinguishers are labeled C, BC or ABC. [2] X Research Source
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Call an ambulance. Quickly calling for help is very important. The sooner you call, the quicker help will arrive. When calling, try to explain the situation as calmly and clearly as possible. [3] X Research Sources
- Explain the electric shock situation and the related emergency so that the emergency team is best prepared.
- Try not to panic. Staying as calm as possible will help you convey information accurately.
- Speak clearly. Emergency services need clear and accurate information. Speaking too quickly can lead to misunderstandings, wasting precious time unnecessarily. [4] X Research Sources
- Provide your correct address and phone number.
- Most countries have an emergency phone number that is easy to remember. Below are a few examples:
- Vietnam – 115
- USA, Canada – 911
- UK – 999
- Australia – 000
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Turn off the power. If it can be done safely, disconnect the power. Don’t try to save someone near high voltage lines. [5] X Research Source To disconnect power, the electrical box, circuit breaker or fuse box is the first choice. Follow the steps below to cut off the power with an automatic breaker:
- Open the breaker box. Find the square box with the handle, located at the top of the fuse cabinet.
- Grasp the handle and pull it to the other side, similar to the lamp work.
- Try turning on a light bulb or other electrical device to make sure the power is off.
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Isolate the victim from the power source. Do not touch them, even when using non-conductive equipment, if the current has not been disconnected. Once it is certain that there is no more current, use a wooden stick, rubber or any other non-conductive device to isolate the victim. [6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Examples of insulating materials include glass, porcelain, plastic, and paper. Cardboard is also a common insulating material that can be used. [7] X Research Sources
- Materials that conduct electricity – which allow electricity to flow through – include copper, aluminum, gold and silver. [8] X Research Sources
- In the event of a victim being struck by lightning, it is safe to touch them.
Victim Support
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Place victim in recovery position. Placing the victim of an electric shock in the recovery position will ensure a clear airway. [9] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source Follow the steps below to correctly position the victim in the recovery position:
- Bend the arm near you at an appropriate angle to the body.
- The other hand is placed under one side of the head. The back of the hand touches the cheek.
- Bend the knee away from you at an appropriate angle.
- Roll the victim to the side. The upper arm will support the head.
- Lift the casualty’s chin and check the airway.
- Stay with the victim and observe their breathing. Once returned to the recovery position, do not move the victim as that may worsen the injury.
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Cover the victim with a blanket and wait. The victim will quickly lose heat. Therefore, you should use a mesh blanket to keep the victim warm. [10] X Research Source Together waiting for the emergency to arrive.
- Do not cover when the victim’s body has a large wound or an untreated burn.
- Be gentle when covering the victim with the blanket.
- When the emergency arrives, give them the information you have. Explain quickly the source of the danger. Note any injuries you know and the time of the accident. Do not attempt to intervene once the victim has been received.
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Talk to the victim. Try to talk to the victim to better understand their condition. The more you learn, the more useful you will become. Pay attention to every reaction of the victim and be ready to report back when emergency arrives. [11] X Research Source
- Judge yourself and at the same time, ask the victim what happened. Ask if they have trouble breathing or have pain in any position.
- Ask where the pain originates. This will help you identify any wounds or burns.
- If victim is unconscious, check airway and listen for breathing.
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Body examination. Examine the victim’s body, starting at the head and moving down to the neck, chest, arms, abdomen, and legs. Watch for any visible burns or wounds. Notify the emergency response team when they arrive. [12] X Research Source
- Do not adjust or move any areas of pain or injury. Do not touch the burn. Moving the victim may aggravate the injury.
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Stop bleeding. If the victim is bleeding, try to stop or slow the loss of blood. Use a clean towel to press directly on the wound. Continue squeezing until the bleeding stops. [13] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- When the towel is soaked with blood, do not change it, but apply another layer of towel on top.
- Raise the bleeding arm or leg above the level of the heart. Do not move if a fracture is suspected.
- Once the bleeding has stopped, wrap the towel with a bandage to keep it in place.
- Wait for the ambulance to arrive, provide information about your injury and treatment.
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Call emergency services again if the victim gets worse. When you notice any change in the victim’s condition or discover any new injuries, call 911 and get directions. Updating information will help the emergency team act better. [14] X Research Source
- As the situation worsens, the operator may prioritize your situation.
- If the victim stops breathing, the operator will probably tell you how to perform CPR. Don’t panic, follow all the instructions given.
Do UnTrained CPR Safely
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Remember to check the ABC (airway, breathing, circulatory). In an emergency situation, it is important to check the victim’s airway, breathing, and circulatory system before performing CPR. This process is also known as ABC. You can check by doing the following: [15] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source
- Check the victim’s airway. Look for signs of injury or any obstruction.
- Check breathing rate. Observe to see if the victim is breathing normally by placing your ear near the victim’s nose and mouth, listening for every breath. [16] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source Do not perform CPR while victim is breathing or coughing.
- Perform CPR if victim is not breathing. When the victim stops breathing, you need to start CPR immediately. [17] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
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Neurological assessment. Although it will be re-examined by a medical professional, it will be helpful to determine the victim’s level of response and pass the information on to the emergency team. Mental status is divided into the following four levels: [18] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source
- A – alert (alert) . The victim is awake, has the ability to communicate and is aware of everything around him.
- V – answer (voice responsive) . Victims may respond verbally to questions, but they may not be alert enough or aware of what is going on.
- P – pain response . The victim has some response to painful stimuli.
- U – unresponsive . Victims lose consciousness and do not respond to questions or painful stimuli. If the victim is comatose, you can perform CPR. Do not use CPR on a person who is awake and breathing. [19] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
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In position. You and the casualty need to be in the right positions while performing CPR. Follow the steps below to make sure you’re both in the right position for chest compressions: [20] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to source
- Place the casualty on his back and tilt his head back.
- Kneel near the victim’s shoulder.
- Place the palm of your hand in the center position, between the nipples.
- Place your other hand on top. Elbows straight, shoulders straight above hands.
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Start pressing down. Once in the correct position, you can now begin chest compressions. CPR can save lives, ensuring oxygenated blood continues to be pumped to the brain. [21] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Not only the arms but also use the weight of the upper body when pressing straight down to the chest.
- Press down at least 5 cm.
- Squeeze hard, at a rate of 100 presses per minute. Continue until the casualty is breathing again or help arrives.
Treatment of Burns
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Get medical care for an electric shock victim. Even minor burns in the event of an electric shock require medical attention. Do not self-treat the victim. Call 911 or take them to the nearest hospital.
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Identify the burn area. Burn wounds have certain characteristics to identify. Look for injuries that show one or more of the following: [22] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to source
- Indians.
- Skin peeled off.
- Blistering.
- Swelling.
- White or charred skin.
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Wash the burn. Electricity will typically flow into and out of the body in two different locations. Do your best, examine the victim closely. Once identified, cool the burn with cold water for ten minutes. [23] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
- Use only clean water to avoid any risk of infection.
- Do not use ice, hot or cold water, any cream or ointment solution. That heat-sensitive burn is too hot or too cold, and creams can make recovery difficult.
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Remove clothing and jewelry. Removing clothing and jewelry near the burn is important, helping to prevent the risk of further injury. Some clothing or jewelry may remain hot from the electric shock and may injure the victim. [24] X Research source . [25] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
- Do not try to get a piece of molten paper or cloth stuck to the burn.
- When burned, do not cover the victim with a blanket because it can lead to infection.
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Cover burns. Shielding will help protect the burned area from further damage and reduce the risk of infection. Try one of the following: [26] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to source
- Sterilized gauze
- Clean cloth
- Avoid towels or blankets [27] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to source
- Don’t use tape
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Wait for an ambulance. Once the victim is stable, you should stay with them and reassure them. Do not forget to update the information on the treatment of burns to the emergency team.
- Keep your phone with you in case you need to make an urgent call. Try to monitor the victim’s condition and don’t leave them alone.
Advice
- Make an effort to remain calm.
- Provide as detailed information as possible to the emergency team.
- Stay with the victim and monitor their condition.
- Notify emergency services of any changes in the casualty.
- Never do electrical work alone. In the event of an accident, the presence of a coworker could save your life.
Warning
- Always make sure the power is off before helping someone in distress.
- Do not apply ice, butter, ointment, medicine, cotton wool bandages, or bandages to the burn. [28] X Research Sources
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This article was co-written by Chris M. Matsko, MD. Dr. Matsko is a retired physician with offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was awarded the University of Pittsburgh Cornell’s Distinguished Leadership Award. He received his PhD from Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. He holds a Research Diploma from AMWA in 2016 and a Medical Content Writing & Editorial Certificate from the University of Chicago in 2017.
There are 20 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 7,406 times.
Electric shock occurs when electric current flows through the body. The consequences of electric shock can vary widely, from numbness to instant death. Knowing what to do in the event of an electric shock can mean the difference between life and death.
Thank you for reading this post How to Handle an Electric Shock Victim at Tnhelearning.edu.vn You can comment, see more related articles below and hope to help you with interesting information.
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