ELECTRIC SHOCK

General Information

DEFINITION--Injury caused by electricity passing through the body.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Total body.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--

Depends on where the current enters the body and the kind of electrical current. Following are the most common:

• Burns at areas of contact. The burns are often deep.
• Heart damage, including cardiac arrest.
• Severe muscle spasms that may cause fractures.
• Breathing paralysis.

CAUSES--Contact with electricity from downed power lines, exposed appliance wires, faulty electrical equipment, lightning strikes or other electrical sources.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Standing on wet ground or under a tree during an electrical storm.
• Mishandling of electrical equipment.
• Occupations that involve electrical machinery or lines.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Inspect your house, especially the kitchen, bathroom and workshop, for hazards. Use grounded plugs wherever possible.
• Don't use hair dryers or radios in the bathroom where they can fall into a tub or sink.
• Use safety plugs in empty electrical outlets to prevent children from inserting metal objects.
• Don't try to repair electrical equipment unless you know how.
• Wear protective gloves and clothing for work that involves exposure to electricity.
• Replace worn cords or wiring at home or work.
• Use ground fault electrical interrupters when possible.
• Go indoors during electrical storms. Lightning may strike several miles away from actual rainfall.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES----Diagnosis is usually obvious from the circumstances.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis (minor burns only).
• Emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the time of injury, if the victim is unconscious and not breathing.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Hospitalization for moderate to severe injuries.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Pneumonia.
• Permanent brain damage.
• Severe burns of the skin and underlying muscle.
• Death from heart damage.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Depends on the extent of injury. Full recovery is likely if major brain or heart damage does not occur.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• If the victim is touching live electrical wires, shut off the power or remove the wires with a non-metal object before giving aid. Don't electrocute yourself trying to help someone else.
• If the victim is unconscious and not breathing: Yell for help. Don't leave the victim. Call O (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or medical help. Begin mouth-to-mouth breathing immediately. If there is no heartbeat, give external cardiac massage. Don't stop cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until help arrives.
• If multiple persons are struck, give CPR first to victims who are not moving (those moving are likely to recover).

MEDICATION--Medicine usually is not necessary for electric shock.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions, if the shock is mild. If the shock is severe, the victim may resume activities gradually as injuries heal.

DIET--No special diet following electric shock.

Call Your Doctor If

• You or someone around you receives an electric shock severe enough to cause injury.
• The following occurs during convalescence: Irregular heartbeat. Fever. Cough with sputum.