What is electric shock and its causes? How to provide first aid for electric shock victims? Answers to these questions and more in this comprehensive guide.

Understanding Electric Shock: Causes and Consequences

Electric shock is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the human body encounters live electricity. Our bodies are natural conductors of electricity, and when any part of our body comes into contact with a live electrical source, an electric current flows through the tissues, causing an electric shock.

The severity of an electric shock can vary greatly, depending on the length and intensity of the exposure. Injuries from electric shock can range from mild burns to severe internal tissue damage, cardiac arrest, and even death. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention for any electric shock, as some complications may not be immediately obvious.

Causes of Electric Shock

There are several common causes of electric shock, including:

• Faulty or damaged appliances, cords, or extension leads
• Incorrect, damaged, or deteriorated household wiring
• Contact with downed power lines or lightning strike
• Electrical appliances in contact with water

It is essential to ensure that all electrical work around the home is performed by a licensed electrician to minimize the risk of electric shock.

Symptoms of Electric Shock

The typical symptoms of an electric shock include:

• Unconsciousness
• Difficulty breathing or no breathing at all
• A weak, erratic pulse or no pulse at all
• Burns, particularly at the entry and exit points of the electrical current
• Cardiac arrest

Even if the person appears unharmed, they should still receive medical attention, as some injuries and complications may not be immediately apparent.

First Aid for Electric Shock

If you encounter someone who has suffered an electric shock, it is crucial to follow these first-aid steps:

1. Check for danger and ensure the safety of yourself, the injured person, and others around you.
2. Try to disconnect the power supply, if it is safe to do so, before attempting to help the person.
3. If you cannot disconnect the power supply, try to remove the person from the electrical source without directly touching them. Use a dry, non-conductive object, such as a wooden broom handle.
4. Follow the DRSABCD method of first aid, which includes checking the person’s response, airway, and breathing. If necessary, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
5. Call emergency services immediately and, if possible, put your phone on speaker so the operator can provide further instructions.

If the person is breathing steadily and responsive, attend to any burns by cooling the affected area with cool running water for 20 minutes and covering the burns with dressings that won’t stick to the skin.

Fallen Power Lines: Dangers and Safety Precautions

Fallen power lines can be extremely dangerous and should be treated with the utmost caution. Always stay at least 8-10 meters away from fallen power lines, as they may still be live even if they appear broken or not moving. Do not approach any vehicles, water, or metal objects that may be in contact with the fallen lines, as they can also be conducting electricity.

If you are in a vehicle and the power lines have fallen on it, it is important to remain inside the vehicle, as the tires will act as insulation and protect you from the electrical current. Only exit the vehicle if there is a serious hazard, such as a fire, and instruct the person to jump clear of the vehicle, keeping their feet close together.

Hiring a Licensed Electrician

To minimize the risk of electric shock, it is recommended to always hire a licensed electrician for any electrical work around the home. Licensed electricians have the necessary training and expertise to ensure that all electrical installations and repairs are done safely and in compliance with local regulations.

Do you have any other questions about electric shock and how to stay safe? Feel free to ask, and I’ll provide a concise and informative answer.

Conclusion

By understanding the causes, symptoms, and proper first-aid procedures for electric shock, you can be better prepared to respond effectively in an emergency situation. Remember, electrical safety should always be a top priority, and seeking the help of a licensed professional is the best way to ensure the safety of your home and loved ones.

Electric shock – Better Health Channel

Summary

Read the full fact sheet

• The human body conducts electricity.
• Disconnect the power supply before trying to help someone suffering from an electric shock.
• Be especially careful in wet environments and around fallen powerlines, they may still be conducting electricity even if they are broken or not moving.
• Always hire a licensed electrician for all electrical work around the home.

What is electric shock?

Our bodies conduct electricity. If any part of your body meets live electricity an electric current flows through the tissues, which causes an electric shock. People sometimes call it electrocution.

Depending on the length and severity the electric shock, injuries can include:

• burns to the skin
• burns to internal tissues
• electrical interference or damage (or both) to the heart, which could cause the heart to stop or beat erratically.

It is important to seek medical attention for mild electric shock to assess whether the heart has been affected.

What causes electric shock?

Some causes of electric shock include:

• faulty appliances
• damaged or frayed cords or extension leads
• electrical appliances in contact with water
• incorrect, damaged or deteriorated household wiring
• downed powerlines
• lightning strike.

If it is safe to do so, disconnect the power supply before trying to help someone with electric shock.

Symptoms of electric shock

Typical symptoms of an electric shock include:

• unconsciousness
• difficulties in breathing or no breathing at all
• a weak, erratic pulse or no pulse at all
• burns, particularly at the place where the electricity entered and left the body (entrance and exit burns)
• cardiac arrest.

Although someone who has had an electric shock may appear unharmed, they should still receive medical attention. Some injuries and complications may not be obvious initially. A medical examination is important after any electric shock.

First aid for electric shock

First-aid steps for electric shock:

• Check for danger – make sure you, the injured person and others around you are safe.
• Try to switch off or disconnect the power supply. Do not touch the person until you are sure power is turned off. Be careful in wet environments, such as bathrooms, as water conducts electricity.
• If you are in a building or the power lines have come down, it may be safer to disconnect the whole electricity supply. You may need to wait for authorised electricity personnel to do this especially if there are live wires.
• If you cannot switch off the power supply, try to remove the person without touching them directly. Use something that is dry and does not conduct electricity (such as a wooden broom handle)
• Follow the DRSABCD method for first aid which includes checking the injured person’s response, airway and breathing. It may be necessary to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Send for help – Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. The operator will organise assistance for you while you continue talking on the phone. They may give you first aid instructions over the phone. If you can, put your phone on loudspeaker.

Treating burns

If the person is breathing steadily and they are responsive, attend to their injuries:

• Talk calmly and reassure the person.
• Cool the burn area with cool running water for 20 minutes.
• Cover burns with dressings that won’t stick to the skin. If you don’t have dressings available, loosely applied cling wrap can be used. Do not apply cling wrap tightly or wrap around a body part, as this will cause complications if the injured area swells.
• Never put ointments or oils onto burns.
• Try not to move anyone who has fallen from a height as they may have spinal injuries. Only move them if there is a chance of further danger from the environment, such as falling objects.

Fallen powerlines

Powerlines can come down for many reasons:

• extreme weather conditions such as floods and bushfires
• motor vehicle accidents
• fallen trees
• workplace accidents.

Standing near fallen powerlines can be dangerous. Always stay more than 8-10 metres away. Do not go near anything that may be touching them such as vehicles, water or metal fences or other metal objects.

Powerlines and vehicle accidents

Sometimes, powerlines are downed in vehicle accidents and may drape over your vehicle.

If this happens, your tyres act as insulation. It is important to stay inside the vehicle so you will be safe from electric shock.

If you arrive on the scene of an accident where the powerlines have come down, do not approach until it has been declared safe by the proper authorities. Stand well back and encourage any bystanders to keep a distance of more than 8-10 metres.

Even if the lines or wires are broken or not moving, they may still be live. All fallen powerlines should be treated as live.

If someone needs to get out of the vehicle because of a hazard (such as fire) instruct them to keep their feet close together and to jump away, not walk. This can reduce the chance of an electric shock if wires are on the ground. Only advise this action if the person is unable to remain in the vehicle due to an immediate safety concern.

Safety tips around the home to reduce the risk of electric shock

You can reduce the risk of electric shock in your home by taking a few precautions:

• Don’t be tempted to do your own electrical work. Although you may think it looks easy to do jobs yourself, such as changing power points or switches, always hire a licensed electrician. Check Energy Safe VictoriaExternal Link for a list of registered tradespeople.
• Do not use extension leads or appliances if the cords are damaged or frayed. Throw them away if they are damaged in any way.
• Do not remove a plug from a power point by pulling on the cord – pull the plug instead.
• Keep electrical appliances away from wet areas. Electricity and water don’t mix.
• Wear rubber or plastic soled shoes when using electrical appliances, especially in wet areas, on concrete or outdoors.
• Have safety switches installed by an electrician.
• Buy portable power boards with built-in safety switches.
• Insert safety plugs into unused power points to stop children from inserting objects into them.
• If you have children, turn off and unplug electric appliances and keep them out of reach (this includes electrical cords).
• Get household wiring checked by a registered electrician, especially if your house is more than 30 years old.
• When buying electrical appliancesExternal Link, check they meet Australian safety standards. Be extra cautious when shopping online.
• If you plan to buy second-hand appliances, check they meet Australian standards and are not damaged. It is a good idea to have them checked by someone who is qualified in electrical repairs such as a licensed electrician.
• If you use a metal ladder, make sure it has rubber feet. When metal contacts the ground it can increase the risk of electric shock.

Safety switches

Image courtesy of Energy Safe Victoria

A safety switch (or residual current device) is a safety device used with circuit breakers and fuses in your home to minimise the risk of injury and fires. It monitors electricity flow through a circuit by making sure the flow is even.

Safety switches quickly trip out the power when an electrical problem is detected. They can protect from harmful electric shocks when someone makes contact with a live electrical circuit (such as from faulty electrical leads and appliances) and provides a path to earth. Switches operate within 0.03 seconds.

A safety switch is different to a circuit breaker, which is designed to protect household wiring from power surges.

Where to get help

• In an emergency, call triple zero (000)
• Your GP (doctor)External Link
• NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Energy Safe VictoriaExternal Link
• Your local council
• Your electricity supply company
• Australian Certification DatabaseExternal Link – to check approved electrical appliances
• Dial Before You DigExternal Link – free online referral service for anyone who is undertaking works to find out where underground pipes, cables and utilities are located
• St John Ambulance Australia (first aid courses)External LinkVictoria Tel. 1300 360 455
• Australian Red Cross (first aid and mental health trainingExternal Link) Tel. 1800 733 276

• Electric shock – first aid fact sheetExternal Link, St John Ambulance, Australia.
• Buying safe electrical appliancesExternal Link, Energy Safe Victoria.
• Using electricity safelyExternal Link, Energy Safe Victoria.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved
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5 Common Electrical Shock Causes

We all use electricity in our homes for utilities and entertainment, but with this comes the risk of electrical shock. Electricity is a dangerous, sometimes unpredictable element. And if live electricity touches you or conductive material, electrical shock can occur. With over 30,000 non-fatal accidents happening per year, electrical shock is no laughing matter. But what can cause it to happen?

The experts at Roman Electric are here to list 5 common causes for electrical shock. Follow our guide below to help understand how electrical shock can occur in your Milwaukee home.

1. Faulty Outlet/Switch

When an outlet or switch is faulty or malfunctioning, electrical shock can ensue. Outlets and switches receive their electrical currents through a box, further connected to wiring. If any screw or wiring is loose on the box, wiring, or outlet/switch, electricity becomes unstable. This can lead to electrical shock if you plug in an appliance or flip the light switch.

Aside from loose connections, damages can also cause electrical shock. Damages such as frayed wiring, and cracked casing give less resistance and a bad path for electricity. Therefore, if you see any burn marks, cracks, or sparks coming from your outlet, contact Roman Electric for immediate assistance.

2. Outdated Outlets

An outlet doesn’t have to be damaged to emit electrical shock – it can happen from just being old! Outdated outlets usually possess two-prong instead of the now common three. Two-prong outlets possess no ground wire. Ground wire acts as an additional safety barrier in the case of an unstable electrical current. This wire gives unstable currents a passage to the ground instead of you or the other wires, hence the name.

Without a ground, two-prong outlets have no way to safely channel unstable electricity. This increases the chances of shock.

3. Faulty Appliances

Faulty appliances don’t always channel electricity as well as they used too. And if you plug one in, you may receive electrical shock! When an appliance has damaged circuitry, frayed wiring, or broken cords, electrical currents become unstable. When you plug one in, the unstable electricity can ruin your appliance, as well as shock you. Always check your appliances before plugging them in!

4. Electricity Touching Water

When electricity encounters water, get away from it! Electricity and water make a dangerous combination, as the water’s ions are extremely conductive. This leads to electrical shock, possibly at a more severe level. A submerged source of electricity can turn any body of water into an electrical shock hazard. This can damage the electrical source as well, possibly ruining whatever appliance or device that may hold the current.

5. Mishandling Electricity

If you don’t treat electricity with caution in mind, you are at risk of electrical shock. As we described, electricity is dangerous and can be unpredictable. You must be careful when using any part of your electrical system. Follow these general tips below:

• Dry your hands before touching an outlet/switch.
• Place plastic covers over your outlets if children are around.
• Keep water sources and outlets, switches, and appliances at a safe distance
• Never touch hot/live wire, or any hot circuit.
• Never perform any work on your electrical system without first consulting a professional.

As the last step says, if you require service on your electrical system, first contact Roman Electric to consult with an electrical professional. Not only will we advise you on the best solution for you to take – we can perform any electrical service at a reasonable cost!

Keep in mind these common electrical shock causes as you help improve the electrical safety of your Milwaukee home. And contact Roman Electric when you require affordable and quality electrical services. We help ensure you have ample electrical safety as well as protection against shock. Give us a call at 414-369-3798 to schedule an appointment today!

Related Links

Electrical Injury – MedlinePlus

Major causes of electric shock in the home

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What is forbidden to do with electrical appliances in the home?

1. Damaged appliances. Any electrical receiver has a layer of insulation. It covers the most critical places of the wire even with several layers in order to exclude contact of human skin with the potential of the mains. But, careless handling of electrical wiring, mechanical impact on it, overheating from incorrect loads or loose contacts violate its dielectric properties.

Do not touch the bare metal of a wire that is energized or use switches, sockets and plugs with broken cases. This is a direct prerequisite for electrical injury.

2. Repair work. All faulty electrical equipment must be taken out of service to eliminate breakdowns. And only a trained person can do it. Otherwise, the consequences of unskilled repairs can be unpredictable.

3. Careful handling of equipment. Electrical appliances connected to the network must not be disassembled. Be especially careful with the power cord. It is unacceptable to pull on it in order to move the electric stove, iron or pull the plug out of the socket. In this way, you can easily arrange a short circuit. Power cords are often subjected to twisting, kinking, and stress. heating. Breaks and breaks can occur inside them. They can break good contact, cause sparks, leading to fire.

4. Replacing light bulbs in lamps. Every adult, not to mention children, should know that it is forbidden to repair electrical equipment under voltage. Any operation on electrical receivers must be performed with the power off. Often people get injured when they screw in / turn out ordinary incandescent bulbs. The light switch must always be switched off.

5. Contact with the body of devices connected to voltage. In a two-wire network (phase, zero) operated according to the TN-C system, in the event of an insulation breakdown, a life-threatening potential appears on the case. If a person touches such a device with one part of the body, and with the other part of the building structure connected to the ground, then a current will flow through his body along this path. To prevent such injuries, there are protections that respond to the appearance of leakage currents. A residual current device (RCD) in such wiring will reduce the damaging effect of the current, and in a circuit equipped with a protective PE conductor using the TN-S or TN-C-S systems, it will prevent an accident.

6. Long-term operation of electrical appliances. Modern refrigerators, freezers and some household appliances are designed to perform a continuous technological cycle. They are equipped with automatic control systems for this. Even such devices can break down and need periodic monitoring by the owner. Burnt out electric motors, floors flooded with water, or cases of flooding of neighbors from below are clear evidence of this.

7. Maintenance of electrical wiring protection in good condition. In all residential premises, when commissioning the electrical circuit, introductory shields are installed. They, as a rule, have a built-in electric meter and circuit breakers or fuses. They must be kept in working order. This requirement is especially relevant for old houses in rural areas, where you can still find working, but obsolete electrical panels with an induction meter and two cork fuses. In them, instead of industrial fuse-links, the owners install home-made “bugs” – pieces of randomly selected wires. Often their denominations are overstated: so as not to change once again in case of burnout. It is for this reason that they do not always quickly turn off the resulting short circuit, and in some cases do not work at all.

8. Children. They are always inquisitive, mobile, actively climb into all accessible and even forbidden places. In this way they learn about the world around them, master it. But is it always possible for an adult to keep track of the behavior of the baby, to protect him from falling under the action of the current? How to avoid accidents? Parents need to take into account the age of the child and his development. Children under three years old should be excluded from access to electrical appliances by furniture elements, partitions, fences. Be sure to indicate the restricted areas and suggest that they should not be included there. All contacts of electrical outlets must be closed with dielectric plugs. After all, kids can stick a nail, pin or other piece of metal there.

Electric shock and electric shock: causes, symptoms and signs, first aid measures and complex treatment – News

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August 15, 2015, 21:14

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Electric shock and electrical injury: causes, symptoms and signs, first aid measures and comprehensive treatment
Electric shock is one of the most dangerous domestic and industrial accidents and is always associated with high mortality. The action of electric current on the human body leads to strong heating of tissues and the development of a burn, as well as to disruption of the internal organs. First aid in case of electric shock consists in stopping the effect of electric current on the victim’s body, conducting a closed heart massage and artificial respiration, if the victim’s heart stopped from electric shock, treating and applying a bandage to burned areas.

Electrical injury usually occurs as a result of the impact on the tissues of the human body of a household electric current of high strength or a discharge of atmospheric electricity (lightning). Sources of electric shock are: faulty electrical equipment at enterprises and household electrical appliances, broken wires of high-voltage lines, non-compliance with safety regulations when working with electrical equipment. The degree of impact of electric current on the human body is determined by the voltage and current strength, the way the current passes through the body, the general health of the victim, and how timely first aid was provided.

Features of electric shock and electrical injury

Electric current passing through the human body causes heating of tissues, and can lead to electrical burns of the skin and damage to underlying tissues and organs.
Electrical burns occur at the points of entry and exit of electric current and are called “current marks”.
Electrical burns may appear minor, but they are often deep, with significant damage to muscles, bones, and internal organs.
Electrical current can disrupt the heart, even to the point of stopping it.
An electric shock victim may stop breathing.
Signs and symptoms of electric shock

Exposing a naked source of electric current near the victim;
Unconscious state of the victim;
Obvious burns on the surface of the skin;
Respiratory failure with possible respiratory arrest;
Pulse weak, arrhythmic or absent;
The electrical charge inlet and outlet is usually located on the hands or feet.

Due to the peculiarities of electrical injury, even with a short exposure to electric current, the victim may experience respiratory and cardiac arrest. Therefore, sufficiently effective first aid for electric shocks at the scene is often a decisive factor in saving the victim.

Call an ambulance immediately if the following symptoms occur in an electric shock victim:

Cardiac arrest (no pulse)
Irregular heart rhythm (irregular pulse)
Trouble or cessation of breathing (uneven breathing)
Muscle pain or muscle contractions
Seizures
Feeling of tingling or numbness in the limbs
Loss of consciousness
electric shock Before the arrival of the ambulance for an electric shock, take the following measures:
Assess the situation. Do not touch the victim immediately. He may still be under the influence of the electric current. By touching the victim, you can also get hit. If possible, turn off the power source (remove plugs, turn off the breaker). If this is not possible, move the current source away from yourself and away from the victim with a dry, non-conductive object (branch, wooden stick, etc. ).
If it is necessary to drag the victim away from the mains wire, it must be remembered that the human body through which the current has passed conducts current in the same way as the electric wire. Therefore, bare hands should not touch the exposed parts of the body of the victim, you can only touch the dry parts of his clothes, but it is better to wear rubber gloves or wrap your hands with a dry silk cloth.
After the cessation of the electric current, it is necessary to pay attention to the presence of signs of life (respiration and pulse on large vessels).
In the absence of signs of breathing and pulse, urgent resuscitation is necessary: ​​conducting a closed heart massage and artificial ventilation of the lungs (artificial respiration). Inspect exposed areas of the victim’s body. Always look for two burns (electrical inlet and outlet). Apply a sterile or clean napkin to the burned areas. Do not use a blanket or towel for this purpose – the fibers from them can stick to the burnt surface.