ELECTRICAL SHOCK

What happens when you get an electrical shock?

A mild electrical shock can cause a mild tingling. A severe electric shock may knock a person unconscious, burn them, and cause internal damage. The outside wound may look minor but can be very severe.

What is the first aid for electrical shock?

You can save a person's life and prevent injury to yourself if you take proper emergency actions when someone is seriously shocked:

The first step is to make sure that the electrical contact has been broken. Use something that does not conduct electricity, such as a piece of wood, cardboard, or rubber, to try to move the person away from the source of electricity. Be careful or you could also get an electrical shock. Turn off the electric power by unplugging the appliance or flipping the circuit breaker. Do not try to move a victim touching a high voltage wire.
Call for help by dialing 911 or the local emergency number. Have someone else do this if you are giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Keep the victim lying down. Do not move a victim with suspected neck or spine injuries unless absolutely necessary.
If the person is unconscious, check to see if they are breathing. If not, begin CPR.
If the victim is pale or feeling faint, have them lie with their head slightly lower than their trunk and elevate their legs. Keep them covered until help arrives.

If there is a burn:

Take off the burned clothing that isn't stuck to the skin.
Remove any jewelry and tight-fitting clothing from around the burned area before swelling begins.
Do not put butter, ointment, medicine, or spray on the burn.
Avoid touching the burn. Cover the burned area with a sterile dressing or a clean cloth. Do not use anything that is heavy or has loose fibers, such as a towel or blanket.

How can electrical shock be prevented?

You can help to prevent electric shock by doing the following:

Stay clear of electrical power lines while trimming trees and using gardening tools.
Childproof all electrical outlets with plastic plugs.
Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) on electrical outlets.
Teach children about electrical safety.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File SFY4912F.HTM Release 9.0/2006