First Aid – Electric Shock

Electric shock can cause:

    • Burn at the site of entry and exit of current in the body
    • Can cause fracture if thrown by the high voltage current
    • Can lead to cardiac arrest
    • Can lead to respiratory arrest

Examine the victim:

    • Whether he/she is conscious or unconscious
    • Whether he/she is breathing
    • Whether pulse is there or not
    • Check for burn or injury at the site of entry or exit of current

First aid

    • Switch off the offending appliance
    • Disconnect the plug to minimize tissue damage due to stagnant current
    • Outdoor: Disconnect the wire from the victim by a wooden stick
    • Do not pull, push, or touch the victim – it will cause electric shock to you
    • Assess any burn or fracture and treat accordingly by immersing in cold water or immobilization and splinting

If the victim is not breathing & not having a pulse: Help must be sought, an ambulance must be called, and CPR must be administered.

 

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

  • Airway: The unconscious person’s tongue collapses & touches the back part of the throat and blocks the airway. By tilting the head back and lifting the chin up, the airway can be opened.
  • Breathing: We can oxygenate casualty by giving mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose ventilation by blowing out exhaled air which contains 18% oxygen.

    We must give a minimum of 10 mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose breathing per minute.

Chest compressions (get yourself trained)

    • Find the space 2 fingers above the meeting point of ribs called xiphi sternum.
    • Press down keeping the elbows straight by both hands interlocking the fingers, pressing the chest wall 1.5-2 inches or 4-5 cm.
    • Release the pressure to allow the blood to return to the heart and press again. Rate of 30 chest compressions then 2 mouth-to-mouth ventilation. Continue till help arrives.
    • If pulse is not their chest compression can be done to distribute the oxygenated blood throughout the body.