How to Treat a Victim of Electrical Shock: A Comprehensive Guide

Electrical shock can be a frightening and dangerous event, potentially leading to serious injuries or even death. Knowing how to respond quickly and effectively is crucial in these situations. This comprehensive guide provides detailed steps and instructions on how to treat a victim of electrical shock, emphasizing safety and immediate action. Remember, your well-being is paramount, so always prioritize your own safety before attempting to help someone else.

Understanding Electrical Shock

Before we delve into the treatment process, it’s essential to understand the basics of electrical shock. When a person comes into contact with an electrical current, it disrupts the body’s normal electrical signals. This can cause a range of effects, from minor tingling to severe burns, cardiac arrest, and damage to internal organs. The severity of the shock depends on factors like the voltage, the type of current (AC or DC), the duration of contact, and the path the electricity takes through the body.

Immediate Actions: Prioritizing Safety First

When you encounter someone who has experienced an electrical shock, your first instinct might be to rush in and help. However, it is absolutely critical to prioritize your own safety first. Approaching an active electrical source can make you a victim as well.

Step 1: Ensure Your Safety – Disconnect the Power Source

• Do NOT Touch the Victim Directly: Never directly touch someone who is still in contact with an electrical source. You could become part of the circuit and suffer the same fate.
• Identify and Safely Disconnect the Power: If possible, quickly and safely disconnect the power source. Look for the circuit breaker, main power switch, or unplug the appliance or equipment involved. If you can do this without putting yourself at risk, it is the most crucial initial step.
• Use a Non-Conductive Object: If you cannot safely turn off the power source, use a non-conductive object, such as a wooden broom handle, plastic chair, or a thick, dry piece of clothing, to separate the person from the electrical source.
• Never Use Metal or Damp Objects: Metal and water are excellent conductors of electricity and should never be used in these situations.
• Keep a Safe Distance: Once the victim is separated from the electrical source, maintain a safe distance from the power source to avoid accidental re-contact.

Step 2: Assess the Victim’s Condition

Once the area is safe, you can begin assessing the victim’s condition. This is a critical step that will determine the appropriate next steps for medical assistance. Observe the person carefully and note the following:

• Consciousness: Is the person awake and responsive? Are they able to speak or move? If they are unconscious, you must proceed with caution, as they might not be breathing.
• Breathing: Check if the person is breathing normally. Look for the rise and fall of their chest and listen for breath sounds. If they are not breathing, be prepared to administer CPR if you are trained to do so.
• Pulse: Check for a pulse. The carotid artery in the neck is often the easiest place to find a pulse. If there is no pulse, begin CPR immediately if you are trained and comfortable doing so, until medical professionals arrive.
• Burns: Look for burns, both entrance and exit wounds. The entry wound is often smaller, while the exit wound can be larger and more severe. Burns are usually severe with high-voltage shocks. Electrical burns can be internal as well and may not be visible on the skin.
• Other Injuries: Look for any other injuries, such as fractures, head injuries, or any signs of trauma due to a fall or the force of the electrical current. Electrical shocks can cause muscle spasms and can lead to falls or thrown away from the source of the electricity.
• Symptoms: Ask the person about any symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, confusion, chest pain, or breathing difficulties. Even mild symptoms need medical evaluation.
• Remember that apparent lack of symptoms is not an indication of safety: Internal damage is possible even when there are no visible signs of it, so always seek medical attention.

Providing First Aid While Waiting for Medical Help

After assessing the victim’s condition and ensuring safety, start first aid procedures, while you wait for professional medical help to arrive. Do not attempt to treat severe symptoms beyond first aid level skills.

Step 3: Call for Emergency Medical Assistance

• Dial Emergency Services: As soon as possible, call your local emergency number (911 in the US, 112 in Europe, 999 in the UK). Even if the person appears fine, it is crucial to have them evaluated by medical professionals. The damage caused by electrical shock can be insidious and not immediately apparent.
• Provide Clear Information: When you call, give clear and concise information, including your location, the situation (electrical shock), the victim’s condition, and any injuries you have observed. Do not hang up until the dispatcher instructs you to.
• Keep the Call Open: Try to remain on the call until emergency services reach your location. The dispatcher might provide valuable instructions, and keeping the line open helps with coordination.

Step 4: Administer First Aid

• CPR (If Necessary): If the person is not breathing and does not have a pulse, and you are trained in CPR, begin CPR immediately. Ensure that the victim is lying on a firm surface. Provide chest compressions and rescue breaths based on your training. If you are not trained in CPR, follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
• Treat Burns:
  • Cool the Burn: If the victim has burns, immediately cool them with cool (not cold) running water for at least 10-20 minutes. Do not use ice, as this can further damage the tissue.
  • Cover the Burn: Once cooled, loosely cover the burn with a sterile, non-adhesive dressing or a clean cloth to prevent infection. Do not apply any ointments or creams on burns.
  • Do not try to remove the clothing from the burned skin: If the clothing is stuck to the burned skin, do not attempt to pull it off because you can further damage the tissue.
• Control Bleeding: If there is any bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or dressing. Maintain pressure and do not remove it until medical help arrives or bleeding is controlled.
• Treat Shock: Electrical shock can lead to shock even if no injuries are outwardly visible. Monitor the victim for signs of shock (pale skin, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, confusion, nausea). Lie the victim down flat, slightly elevate the legs if possible, and keep them warm with a blanket or coat to prevent hypothermia.
• Do not give the victim anything by mouth: Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink because they could be in shock or have an injury that complicates swallowing or they might lose consciousness and choke while ingesting anything.
• Comfort and Monitor: Stay with the victim, comfort them, reassure them that help is on the way and monitor their condition until medical assistance arrives. Be aware of any changes in their symptoms or consciousness.
• Turn on the AED If Available: If the victim is unconscious and not breathing, and an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is available, turn it on and follow the automated voice prompts. AEDs are designed to be used by untrained individuals with simple instructions.

Important Do’s and Don’ts

Knowing what not to do is equally important as knowing what to do. Here is a list of important do’s and don’ts when treating an electrical shock victim:

Do’s:

• Do Prioritize Safety: Always disconnect the power source and ensure your own safety first.
• Do Call for Help: Immediately contact emergency medical services.
• Do Check ABCs: Check the victim’s Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (pulse).
• Do Administer CPR (if trained): If the victim is not breathing and has no pulse, begin CPR if you are trained and comfortable doing so, while awaiting medical help.
• Do Treat Burns: Cool burns with cool running water for 10-20 minutes.
• Do Cover Burns: Cover the burn with a clean, sterile, non-adhesive dressing.
• Do Elevate Legs: Elevate the victim’s legs if they are showing signs of shock.
• Do Keep Them Warm: Keep the victim warm with a blanket or coat to prevent hypothermia.
• Do Reassure the Victim: Stay with the victim and reassure them that help is on the way.

Don’ts:

• Don’t Touch the Victim Directly: Never touch a person who is still in contact with a live electrical source.
• Don’t Move the Victim: Unless it’s absolutely necessary to move them from an immediate danger like a live electrical source or an area at risk, do not attempt to move the victim, especially if you suspect neck or spinal injuries.
• Don’t Apply Ice to Burns: Never use ice on burns, as it can cause more tissue damage.
• Don’t Apply Ointments or Creams: Do not apply any ointments or creams to burns before the medical professionals arrive.
• Don’t Remove Clothing Stuck to Burns: If clothing is stuck to burned skin, leave it there, and let the medical staff remove it.
• Don’t Give the Victim Anything to Eat or Drink: Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink, due to the risk of choking, especially if unconscious, or the possibility of swallowing difficulties due to shock.
• Don’t Assume They’re Fine: Even if the person seems okay, they still need to be evaluated by medical professionals, as there could be internal injuries or other complications.
• Don’t Delay Medical Attention: Seek medical help promptly, even if the symptoms seem minor.
• Don’t Leave the Victim Alone: Stay with the victim until medical professionals arrive.

Prevention of Electrical Shocks

Preventing electrical shocks is better than dealing with their aftermath. Here are some safety measures you should implement to protect yourself and others:

• Regular Electrical Checks: Have regular inspections of electrical wiring in your home or workplace by a licensed electrician.
• Proper Grounding: Ensure proper grounding of all electrical systems.
• Use GFCI Outlets: Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets in areas where water is present, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoors.
• Avoid Overloading Circuits: Do not overload electrical outlets with too many devices.
• Keep Electrical Cords Away From Water: Avoid using electrical devices near water and never touch electrical devices with wet hands.
• Keep Appliances in Good Condition: Discard or repair damaged appliances, cords, and plugs immediately.
• Be Careful When Working Near Electrical Sources: If you are not a qualified electrician, do not attempt to work with electrical systems.
• Be Aware of Overhead Power Lines: Stay away from power lines when working outdoors with long objects such as ladders, poles, or kites.
• Childproofing: Take measures to childproof your home, including covering outlets and keeping cords out of reach.
• Proper Training: If you work in an environment with potential electrical risks, get proper training on electrical safety and first aid.

Conclusion

Dealing with an electrical shock is a situation that requires calm, immediate, and effective action. Knowing how to react can make a significant difference in the outcome. By prioritizing your own safety, disconnecting the power source, assessing the victim’s condition, and providing appropriate first aid, you can increase the chances of a positive recovery. Remember, even if the victim seems fine, seek immediate medical attention. Prevention is just as vital, so take steps to ensure a safe electrical environment in your home and workplace. This knowledge equips you to assist effectively in an emergency situation and ultimately saves lives.