First Aid For Electrical Burns / Shock

Injury from exposure to electrical current can range from just a tingling sensation to Shock and death. You can't always tell from the outside what happened on the inside. Electricity passes through the body from entrance to exit wound, causing damage to any body part in its path - even causing the heart to beat irregularly or stop. For example, if a strong current has entered the hand and exited through the foot, the current has probably travelled through vital organs, causing serious injury. Electricity can cause: paralysis of the nerve centers, cessation of breathing, severe muscle spasm breakage of bones.
If you come across an unconscious person lying near an electrical source, assume that the person is a victim of electric shock. All victims of electric shock and lightning strike need medical attention because not all injuries may be obvious.

Signs & Symptoms:
- Loss of consciousness (sudden)
- Weak pulse
- Difficulty or no breathing
- Burns on the body (Two burn-like wounds may be evident - one where the current entered the body and one where it left)

Tips:
- Do not touch a victim of electric shock who is still in contact with the source of power, or touch the wire itself - even an insulated part of the wire.
- Do not touch the victim until all wires are clear. A live, arcing wire may move, hitting you or someone else.
- Do not try to remove a high-voltage wire from the vicinity of the victim under any circumstances.
- Call EMS, the building's maintenance department or the utility company if a high-voltage wire is involved. Never attempt to remove it yourself.
- Make sure bystanders are aware of the existing danger.
- Cut the power at the source, if possible. At home the switch is usually near the fuse box.
- If you can't turn off power at the source (and it's not a high-voltage utility wire in contact with the victim), stand on a dry surface and disconnect victim from source of shock, using a long, non-conductive object, such as a fiberglass pole, broom, or rope.
- After source of shock has been removed, check the victim's responsiveness and breathing. Electricity can stop the heart! Perform CPR if needed
- Monitor and treat for Shock if present.
- Lightning can cause severe Burns, Fractures even Spinal Injury, so treat for these injuries.
- If wounds are evident, cover wounds with dry sterile dressing.