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Electric Shock First Aid Treatment - Safety First Aid

The document provides essential first aid procedures for treating electric shock victims, emphasizing the importance of isolating power sources before administering aid. It details steps for assessing responsiveness, performing CPR, and using an AED, as well as how to handle burns and other injuries related to electric shock. Additionally, it highlights the need for further medical evaluation even if no immediate injuries are apparent.

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2 views8 pages

Electric Shock First Aid Treatment - Safety First Aid

The document provides essential first aid procedures for treating electric shock victims, emphasizing the importance of isolating power sources before administering aid. It details steps for assessing responsiveness, performing CPR, and using an AED, as well as how to handle burns and other injuries related to electric shock. Additionally, it highlights the need for further medical evaluation even if no immediate injuries are apparent.

Uploaded by

bharathi.jothi77
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Home / Safety First Aid / Electric shock first aid treatment

Electric shock first aid treatment

Important Electric Shock


Information

1) Danger
If you suspect someone has received an electric shock you
must ensure all power sources are isolated before you can
treat the casualty. The action you take will depend on
whether the risk is posed by high voltage or low voltage
electricity.

High Voltage

Overhead power cables are an example of a power source


generating high voltage electricity. High voltage electricity
has the ability to 'jump' or 'arc' up to distances of 18
metres or more. If faced with a casualty as a result of, or in
the vicinity of, dangerous high voltage electricity, DO NOT
APPROACH! Stay at least 25 metres away from the casualty
until the power has been switched off by an official agency
i.e. the Electricity Board.

Low Voltage

If faced with a casualty who is in the process of receiving a


low voltage electric shock you should:

Act to break the contact between the casualty and


the electrical supply. If possible to do so safely, you
should turn off the source of electricity, either by
switching off the current at the mains, turning the
power off at the circuit board, removing the plug or
wrenching the cable free.

Alternatively, move the source of the shock (i.e.


hairdryer, power tool) away from yourself and the
casualty using an object of low conductivity. First,
stand on a dry insulating material, such as a book,
newspapers or rubber matting. Then, use a long,
low-conductivity object like a wooden broom or
specially designed Electric Shock Rescue Hook to
push the power source away from the casualty or
move the casualty's limbs away from the power
source.

2) Response
To give your casualty the optimum chance of survival you
must quickly assess their levels of response. A rapid
assessment will allow effective treatment to be
administered and will also allow for accurate information
to be passed on to the ambulance service. DO NOT touch
the casualty if you have been unable to isolate them
from the source of the electrical shock or turn off the
electricity.

Check whether the casualty is concious:

1. Ask "hello, can you hear me?" and call their name if you
know it.
2. Ask in both the casualty's ears for them to open their
eyes.
3. Pinch an ear lobe or tap the shoulders.
4. Shout for HELP!
5. DO NOT move the casualty unless the environment or
situation is dangerous.

If the casualty is responsive, call emergency services now.

3) Unresponsive casualty
Your first priority is to open the casualty's airway and check
for breathing. Open the airway by lifting the chin and
tilting the head back. This will free the tongue from the
back of the throat. If you are unable to open the casualty's
airway in their current position, roll them onto their back.
Check the mouth for any obvious instructions.

Then, check for breathing as follows:


1. LOOK for the rise and fall of the chest.
2. LISTEN for the sounds of breathing.
3. FEEL for air on your cheek
4. Carry this out for up to 10 seconds

If the casualty is breathing, put them into the recovery


position (see section 6) and then call 999 for emergency
help. Continually monitor and record vital signs -
breathing, pulse and responsiveness - until help arrives.

If the casualty is not breathing normally:

1. Ask a helper to call 999 for an ambulance and then to


bring an AED if available. If you are alone, make the call
yourself.
2. Begin CPR with chest compressions as soon as possible.
Do not leave the casualty to search for an AED.

When phoning emergency services, DO NOT hang up at


any stage of the conversation. The operator will terminate
the call when appropriate. You should determine
responsiveness and whether the casualty is breathing
before speaking to the emergency services because this
enables them to assign the appropriate priority to your
situation.

4) Unresponsive and not


breathing normally - giving CPR
1. Ensure the casualty is lying on their back on a firm, flat
surface
2. Place your hands one on top of the other in the centre of
the casualty's chest
3. Compress the chest (up to a maximum depth of
approximately 4-5cm) 30 times at a rate of 100-120
compressions per minute. The compressions and releases
should take an equal amount of time
4. After 30 compressions, open the airway again using the
head tilt/chin lift
5. Seal the nostrils with your thumb and forefinger
6. Blow steadily into the mouth until you see the chest rise.
This should take about a second. If available, it is advisable
you use resuscitation equipment, such as a face shield.
7. Remove your mouth to the side and let the chest fall.
Inhale some fresh air and repeat these steps so you have
given 2 effective rescue breaths in total.
8. If the chest does not rise after the second breath, go
back to 30 compressions and then try again with 2 breaths.
9. Return your hands to the correct position on the chest
and give a 30 chest compressions.
Continue giving CPR at a ratio of 30 compressions followed
by 2 rescue breaths until:

The casualty shows signs of recovery

Emergency services arrive

The situation changes and you are now in


immediate danger

If you feel unable to give rescue breaths, hands-only CPR is


far better than not performing CPR at all.

5) Defibrillation
If an AED is available, power on the device and follow the
prompts.

6) Unresponsive and breathing -


the recovery position
If the casualty is unresponsive and breathing normally,
turn the casualty to the recovery position. This allows the
head to be tilted back and down, stopping the tongue from
blocking the airway and allowing any vomit or fluid to drain
safely from the mouth.

1. Check for any other obvious injuries


2. Remove sharp objects from casualty's pockets
3. Turn the casualty into the recovery position as follows:
4. Place the nearest arm at a right angle to the body
5. Draw the furthest arm across the chest and place the
back of the hand across the cheek nearest to you
6. Keep this here whilst you raise the furthest leg by
grasping the top of the knee
7. Gently pull on the knee so the casualty pivots over onto
their side facing you
8. The casualty should be fully onto their side and stable
9. Adjust the upper leg so the hip and the knee are bent at
right angles
10. Re-check the airway, breathing and circulation. Ensure
the airway is open
11. Check for continued breathing
12. Ask someone to call 999 if not done already. If you are
alone, do so yourself. Leave the casualty if necessary but
return as soon as possible.

Click here for a NHS video on the recovery position.

7) Burns
Exposure to electricity can cause burns to the skin, and in
severe cases, the internal organs. The electricity may cause
'entry' and 'exit' burns - for example, entering via a hand
and leaving via the feet.

For responsive casualties:

Cool burns for a minimum of 10 minutes under cold


water

For unresponsive casualties:

Cool the burn with wet dressings (or special burn


dressings) after placing them in the recovery
position.

DO NOT

Burst any blisters


Apply adhesive dressings

Remove damaged skin

Apply ointments/creams

Cover with 'fluffy' dressings

Affix dressings too tightly

Apply butter/fats/margarine or other substances


commonly believed to cool burns

Remove damaged clothing

Apply ice

8) Other injuries
Muscle spasms/seizures: These may be present for some
time after the exposure to electricity and indicate a
seriously ill casualty.

Action in the event of a major seizure:

1. If standing, the casualty will almost definitely collapse


during a major seizure. Try to control the fall.
2. Ensure the safety of the casualty by removing any
objects that may cause injury if struck.
3. Place padding under the head. Improvise if necessary
with clothing.
4. DO NOT place anything inside the casualty's mouth
5. Loosen any clothing that may restrict the airway
6. Try to time the seizure

When the seizure has subsided:

1. Check the casualty's responsiveness and Airway,


Breathing and Circulation (ABC)
2. If unresponsive and breathing normally or semi-
concious, place the casualty in the recovery position.
Continue to monitor ABC and other injuries
3. If unresponsive and not breathing, perform CPR

Casualties with no apparent injury:

If no injury is present and the casualty appears well, it is


still advisable to take the casualty to a hospital or medical
facility for a check-up, as certain organs/systems within the
body may be affected several hours after a shock.

Find out more


An electric shock guidance poster is available to buy,
helping to raise safety awareness throughout your
organisation. The Electric Shock poster has clear, step by
step instructions on how to react in case of an electric
shock and how to provide treatment to someone that has
been electrocuted. The poster is designed for both first
aiders and non-first aiders providing them with the
essential first aid and safety information.

Electric shock first aid and rescue


products
Shop our range of electric shock first aid supplies to
assist with the rescue and first aid treatment of someone
who has received an electric shock.

This article is not intended as a substitute for first aid


training.

By Sophie

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