Electric shock can cause:

• • Burn at the site of entry and exit of current in the body
  • Can cause a 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 the 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 with 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, the airway can be opened.
• Breathing: We can oxygenate a 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 breaths per minute.

Chest compressions (get yourself trained)

• • Find the space 2 fingers above the meeting point of the ribs called the xiphoid 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 there, chest compression can be done to distribute the oxygenated blood throughout the body.