How to react to an electric shock?
Many electrocution incidents occur in familiar surroundings. It is important to take the necessary precautions to prevent these injuries, which can be serious, and to know the first steps to take in order to provide adequate assistance to a victim of an electrocution.
What are the signs?
– Injury where the current entered the skin and the current left the victim’s body;
– Respiratory problems;
– Heart problems ;
– Burns;
– State of shock.
Actions to be taken
— Call for help;
– Cut the power;
– If you must separate the victim from the current source, use an object that does not conduct electricity, such as wood, rubber or plastic;
– Make sure there is no water on the floor;
– Assess the victim’s vital signs.
It is important to recognize where the current entry and exit points are as this allows an assessment of the victim’s condition. If the current entered the left hand and came out of the left shoulder, there is little chance that it has passed through the heart. Cardiac arrest can therefore be more easily ruled out. On the other hand, if the current has entered the left arm and exited the right arm, the heart is more likely to be affected by the current. The risk of heart failure is then higher. |