Electric Shock

Immediate First Aid

  1. Turn off the electricity supply at mains before attempting to touch the victim.
  2. Don't attempt to rescue the victim of a very high voltage shock, unless he has been thrown at least 20 meters from the source. This type of hazard exists in some factories and roadside pylons.
  3. Check that the victim is breathing.
  4. Use artificial respiration if necessary.
  5. Check for bleeding and bone fractures.
  6. Treat electric burns by immersion into water.
  7. Send for medical help urgently.
  8. If you cannot turn the current off, use a dry implement made of non-conductive material -like a broom or chair -to separate him from the 'live' apparatus. Act quickly.
  9. When the victim is free, check that he is breathing. He may need artificial respiration, if he has stopped breathing.
  10. If the victim's heartbeat is not felt, give him a thump on the chest. Then if no result are achieved perform heart massage. (place a palm of your left hand on the sternum and press it with your right hand. Then press the victim's chest. Four pushes should be followed by one artificial respiration attempt. This is known as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR))
  11. If the victim's breathing and heart beat recovers, lay him on his stomach, turn his head to one side and draw up the arm and leg of that side, i.e. place the victim in the recovery positio