First Aid for Electric Shock is essentially making sure the scene is safe for you and the injured person, treating any visible burns, giving CPR if necessary, and getting advanced care by calling 911. Different amounts of current and voltage can impact the level of damage received from an electric shock. Even small amounts of electricity can be dangerous in the right circumstances. Regardless of the indications on the body there is no way to tell what damage electricity has done internally by the marks on the outside.
The first and most crucial step in First Aid for Electric Shock is to make sure the scene is safe. This may take a few more steps than in other emergencies. Do not touch or go near the injured person if they are still in contact with the power source. This can be exposed wires, water in contact with a power source, and high-voltage lines. If you know how to turn off the power source then do so safely. Once you are confident the power is off you may enter the scene to give additional care. If the source is high-voltage be extra careful as some objects that we traditionally think of as being non-conductive can still transfer the shock to you. In these cases remain safe and call 911.
The next step in giving First Aid for Electric Shock is assessing and giving any treatment for the injury. If the person is conscious look for any breathing difficulty, confusion, seizure, or sever burns. If any of these are present call 911 or bring the person to see advanced medical care immediately. For minor burns treat them with regular First Aid for Burns remedies but still see a medical professional to check for any additional internal injury. If the person is unconscious call 911 immediately, check for signs that they need CPR and give it if you know how.
Learn more about First Aid for Electric Shock in an American Heart Association (AHA) First Aid and CPR course at Life Saving CPR Training in Sacramento California. Go to our website: https://cprskillssacramento.com/ to see the schedule of classes and to sign up. Or call us at (916) 672-2008 with questions. #CPRSavesLives! Because #LifeIsWhy!
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