Electric Shock

Low-Voltage Electric Shock

Electrical accidents can occur when a household appliance is used in an unsafe way. Most appliances have a built-in safety features but young children and the elderly, who may not realize the dangers of tampering with the appliances, can be at added risk.

What you should do:

• It is not safe to touch the victim until the power supply has been switched off. Do so, then quickly disconnect the appliance from the power point. Otherwise, switch off the main power supply.
• Check whether the victim is conscious or unconscious and give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary. If the victim is breathing and has a pulse, look for any burns on the skin. This will occur where the electricity has entered the body and where it went to earth. Treat any burns with cold water, but if the victim is unconscious or semi-conscious, use cold compresses to cool the injury with the victim lying on his side.
• Call for an ambulance as soon as possible.
  

High-Voltage Electric Shock

The most likely cause of this injury is when a vehicle has collided with a power pole and brought down overhead cables. If a high-voltage cable is in contact with the vehicle, the victim will be safe if he remains inside. Rescuers should not move any closer than six meters to a high-voltage, because arcing - when a 'released' electric current is discharged over a far distance - can occur and injure bystanders.

What you should do:

• Call the local electricity supply authority and keep bystanders clear of the accident site until the power has been turned off.
• Shout reassurances to a victim trapped in a vehicle and stress the need to stay in place until the area is declared safe. Do not try to give first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation until the area is safe because an ill-judged rescue attempt can turn fatal for both victim and rescuer.
• If the victim appears to be injured, call for an ambulance immediately.