Southwestern Electric Cooperative

A big part of our mission here at Southwestern Electric Cooperative is educating members about how to prevent electrical accidents from taking place. But as we all know, accidents still do happen. Here’s a quick guide on what to do if a friend, family member or co-worker suffers an electric shock.

Let’s start with the basics. Electric shock occurs when a person comes into contact with an electrical energy source, causing an electric current to flow through a portion of the body. It can cause a variety of injuries, including burns, damage to internal organs, heart problems and even death. Electrical burns are usually the worst at points where the body comes in contact with the energy source and the ground – typically the hands, heels and head. The severity of damage depends on the voltage, the path electricity takes through the body, the person’s overall health and how quickly he or she receives treatment.

Call emergency assistance (9-1-1) immediately if you or someone else has come into contact with an electrical current. The victim may demonstrate obvious signs of severe injury, such as deep burns or wounds, unconsciousness, seizures, cardiac arrest and respiratory failure. Other, more subtle signs of injury may also present themselves, including irregular breathing or heartbeat, chest pain, immobility, muscle pain and contraction, numbness and tingling, disorientation and slurred or slowed speech.

“Just because the skin isn’t badly burned doesn’t mean there isn’t an injury,” notes Roger Stegeman, director of safety, loss control and environmental compliance for Southwestern Electric. “Some burns may not show up on the skin, while still causing major damage below the surface.”

Do not attempt to move or touch the victim in any way while waiting for emergency assistance to arrive. If the victim is still in contact with the source of electricity, the current may be passed through to you.

“The best thing you can do is to keep your distance from the victim, even if you believe this person is no longer in contact with the electrical source,” adds Stegeman. “Without the proper safety training, you simply can’t be sure.”

If possible, turn off the power, but take care not to endanger yourself in the process. Stay far away from high-voltage wires until the power is turned off, especially if the wires are jumping and giving off sparks.

Once the body has been safely separated from the power source by a trained professional, emergency care can continue.

Check for signs of circulation by taking the victim’s pulse and making sure he or she is breathing. If necessary, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be given by someone with proper training.

Treat for medical shock, a condition that occurs when insufficient blood reaches body tissues. To keep medical shock from setting in, lay the victim with his or her head slightly lower than the trunk and with the legs elevated and cover the body to maintain heat. If the victim is unconscious, position the body on its side to keep the person from choking on bodily fluids.

Next, cover the wounds. If the person is breathing, cover any burned areas with a sterile gauze bandage, and if it’s available, a clean cloth. Don’t use a blanket or towel; loose fibers can stick to the burn wounds.

Remain with the patient until help arrives and inform medical personnel about the patient’s condition. Shock victims who are pregnant and those who have gone more than five years without a tetanus booster should always seek medical attention regardless of the shock’s voltage.

Source: MayoClinic.com

Southwestern Electric Cooperative, PO Box 549, Greenville, IL 62246. Ph: 800.637.8667 Email: info@sweci.com