First Aid: Electrical Shocks
Seek medical help if any of the following is true:
The skin is burned.
The victim acts dazed or confused.
The victim is unconscious for any length of time.
The victim was in contact with electrical current or lightning, even if he or she appears normal.
Call 911 immediately if the victim has any of the following:
While you wait for help:
Reassure the person.
Treat for shock or provide rescue breathing or CPR, if needed.
If a car is trapped beneath a downed power line, don`t touch the car. Tell the occupants to stay in the car. Note: The rubber wheels offer protection from the current only to the people inside the car.
1
Stop the Source
To stop current coming from an outlet, unplug the power cord or switch off circuit breakers or unscrew fuses.
To stop current in power lines, call the local power company and fire department.
Don't risk severe electric shock by approaching downed power lines.
Don't use a tree limb to lift downed power lines. Moisture in the wood may conduct electricity from the lines to you.
2
Check Breathing
3
Care for Injuries
Treat physical shock by elevating the person's legs and covering the upper body.
Look for burns where the current entered and left the body, usually on a hand and foot.
Lightning Strike
Lightning is electrical current that flashes from the clouds to the ground. It can travel through a body's cells to reach the ground. Injuries common to lightning strike include burns, heart problems, bone and spinal column fractures, memory loss, and damage to hearing or eyesight.