Approved Guide
How to Handle Treat a Victim of Electrical Shock Step by Step
When treat a victim of electrical shock leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.
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1
Check the Victim's Airway and Breathing
If the victim is unconscious or not breathing, start CPR if you are trained to do so. * Check the victim's airway, mouth, and nose for any blockages or debris. * Use your fingers or a spoon to gently clear the airway if necessary. * Start CPR by giving 30 chest compressions followed by two breaths, if the victim is not breathing. * If the victim is conscious but not breathing, turn them onto their back and check for any signs of distress.
- If the victim is unconscious or not breathing, start CPR if you are trained to do so.
- * Check the victim's airway, mouth, and nose for any blockages or debris.
- * Use your fingers or a spoon to gently clear the airway if necessary.
- * Start CPR by giving 30 chest compressions followed by two breaths, if the victim is not breathing.
- * If the victim is conscious but not breathing, turn them onto their back and check for any signs of distress.
2
Provide Basic Life Support
If the victim is conscious but unresponsive, check for signs of distress and provide basic life support if necessary. * Check the victim's pulse and breathing to see if they are showing any signs of distress. * If the victim is pale or blue-tinged, they may be experiencing cardiac arrest. * If the victim has a burn injury, check for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or increased pain. * Provide oxygen if necessary, and move the victim to a safe location away from any potential hazards. * Call 911 or your local emergency number if you have not already done so.
- If the victim is conscious but unresponsive, check for signs of distress and provide basic life support if necessary.
- * Check the victim's pulse and breathing to see if they are showing any signs of distress.
- * If the victim is pale or blue-tinged, they may be experiencing cardiac arrest.
- * If the victim has a burn injury, check for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or increased pain.
- * Provide oxygen if necessary, and move the victim to a safe location away from any potential hazards.
3
Administer First Aid for Burns
If the victim has a burn injury, administer first aid as necessary. * Cool the burn with cool tap water for 10-15 minutes to help reduce pain and prevent further damage. * Remove any clothing or jewelry near the burned area to prevent further irritation. * Apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the burned area to help prevent infection. * If the burn is severe, covers more than 20% of the body surface, or is on the face, neck, hands, or genital area, seek immediate medical attention.
- If the victim has a burn injury, administer first aid as necessary.
- * Cool the burn with cool tap water for 10-15 minutes to help reduce pain and prevent further damage.
- * Remove any clothing or jewelry near the burned area to prevent further irritation.
- * Apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the burned area to help prevent infection.
- * If the burn is severe, covers more than 20% of the body surface, or is on the face, neck, hands, or genital area, seek immediate medical attention.
4
Call for Medical Help
Once you have provided basic life support and administered first aid as necessary, call for medical help if possible. * Call 911 or your local emergency number to report the incident. * Provide as much information as possible about the victim's condition, including any injuries or symptoms they are experiencing. * Stay on the line with the operator until they tell you it is safe to leave. * If you are unable to call for medical help, try to find someone who can do so for you.
- Once you have provided basic life support and administered first aid as necessary, call for medical help if possible.
- * Call 911 or your local emergency number to report the incident.
- * Provide as much information as possible about the victim's condition, including any injuries or symptoms they are experiencing.
- * Stay on the line with the operator until they tell you it is safe to leave.
- * If you are unable to call for medical help, try to find someone who can do so for you.
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References
- https://nasdonline.org/document/973/d000813/first-aid-for-electrical-accidents.html
- https://www.elcosh.org/document/1624/893/d000543/section7.html
- https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/health-and-social-care/first-aid/how-to-call-an-ambulance
- https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/students-abroad/pdfs/911_ABROAD.pdf
- https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000053.htm
- https://nasdonline.org/970/d000813/first-aid-for-electrical-accidents.html
- https://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/302l/lectures/node13.html
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334965423_First_Aid_ABC_Recovery_Position_and_CPR
- https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/42315/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3273374/
- https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/performing-cpr/hands-only-cpr
- https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/performing-cpr/cpr-steps
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000053.htm
- https://www.uptodate.com/contents/electrical-burns-the-basics
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