Electric shock - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

Overview

• Injuries caused when electric current passes through body
• Source may be natural or man-made

What happens during electric shock?

• Makes you fall down
• Muscle contraction
• Seizures

• Dehydration
• Burns
• Fractures

• Clotting of blood
• Tissue death (narcosis)
• Respiratory/Heart/Kidney failure

Steps to follow

• Do not attempt to move the victim from current source
• First step is to switch off the current source
• Otherwise, move the source using a wooden stick
• Attend to the victim
• Check for breathing
• No breathing, do Cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Call emergency medical aid
• If breathing, do a physical examination

• Treat for minor burns
• Re-establish vital functions
• Excessive burns may require hospitalization/ surgery
• Supportive care must be provided

Prevention

• Proper design, installation, maintenance of electric devices
• Educating the public regarding electrical devices
• Keep electrical gadgets out of children's reach
• Learn to respect electricity and electrical devices