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Electric shock is a situation that occurs because of your own carelessness, but also as a result of poorly constructed household electrical devices or inappropriate use of them, etc. Electric shock at home does not have serious consequences, and the injured person does not suffer major injuries.
Electric shock
Electric shock is a consequence of blood flow through the human body. In some people paralysis causes a temporary loss of consciousness, and in others (in the most dangerous cases) it even ends in death. The electrocuted person falls down sharply, clenching his hands. Burn wounds appear in places on the body that have been in contact with electricity, and their size depends on the voltage and current intensity. The electric shock usually occurs with a voltage of 220V, which flows through domestic electrical installations. Even if the paralysis is minor, medical attention should be called.
Causes of electric shock
Electric shock depends on many factors, but mostly on voltage and current intensity, operating time and flow path. Damp skin does not resist dry skin because moisture is an excellent conductor of electricity; The current then flows freely through the body and can shock, burn, even kill, and at very high voltage – drastically speaking, burn it on coal. Therefore, improper use of electrical appliances or touching connected equipment with wet hands, e.g. a hair dryer – causes burns. Another cause is contact with high-voltage lines. In each case, basic life functions are disturbed, including central nervous system, respiratory and circulatory systems. The patient dies due to blood circulation stoppage due to fibrillation of the heart chambers. A person electrocuted falls suddenly unconscious, while simultaneously violently contracting his hands; usually there is an electric wire in a clenched hand. At the point of contact with the current, skin burns can be observed, which are often very extensive.
The consequences of contact with electric current depend on:
- voltage level – voltage over 100 V causes that the skin does not offer any resistance, type of current – electric shock may occur as a result of contact with alternating or direct current. The former is more dangerous
- time of the current operation – the consequences of the electric shock are mild, if the speed flow time does not exceed 0,1-0,5 s,
- humidity and temperature of the skin – moist skin does not offer as much resistance as dry skin, because it is a good conductor of the current flowing freely through the body,
- current pathways – the most dangerous is the flow in the hand-to-foot, hand-to-hand or hand-back pathways.
An electrically shocked person may become unconscious and cause muscle cramps, preventing the electrocuted person from being able to free themselves from the power source. The spasm is self-limiting when the electricity is disconnected and may also cause bone fractures or sprains. Paralysis also contributes to burns, which in extreme cases cause charring of the tissue.
First aid in case of electric shock
Helping a person with an electric shock begins with disconnecting them from the electricity source as soon as possible. You should be very careful not to get electrocuted yourself. If the situation takes place in a domestic environment (e.g. in a flat), immediately cut off the power supply by turning the switch, removing or turning off the fuses. In a situation where this is impossible, immediately take the affected person beyond the area of current flow. In this case, however, the rescuer must either protect himself with rubber gloves and rubber boots, or insulate his hands by wrapping them with a dry cloth, and legs – by standing on a dry board, etc.
The injured person should be grasped with one hand only in places covered with clothing. In the event that an electric shock occurs in the open air, for example due to a power failure, first safely remove the wire touching your body. After the patient is moved to a safe place, away from the effects of electricity, start mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration.
In cardiac arrest, indirect heart massage and artificial respiration must be performed. These activities should be carried out until the paralyzed person regains consciousness and breathing. Due to the risk of later complications, even after rescuing the paralyzed person, we immediately call an ambulance, preferably resuscitation (R). During transport, pulse and blood pressure should be monitored as there is a risk of arrhythmias. Hospital observation is necessary.