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Electric Shock Information 1) Danger If you suspect someone has received an electric shock you must ensure all

power sources are isolated before you can treat the casualty. High voltage Overhead power cables are an example of a power source generating high voltage electricity. High voltage electricity has the ability to jump or arc up to distances of 18 metres or over. If faced with a casualty resulting from high voltage electricity: Do not approach. Stay at least 25 metres away from the casualty until the power has been switched off by an official agency i.e. Electricity Board. Low voltage If faced with a casualty who is in the process of receiving an electric shock you should: Attempt to turn the power off at the mains. Remove any cables/power tools etc., still in contact with the casualty. Action to take Insulate yourself from the ground with books / newspapers / rubber matting. Use an object of low conductivity i.e. a wooden broom or rolled up newspaper, to push away the power source 2) Response To give your casualty the optimum chances of survival you must quickly assess their levels of response. A rapid assessment will allow effective treatment to be administered and will also allow for accurate information to be passed on to the ambulance service. Check whether the casualty is conscious 1. Ask hello, can you hear me and call their name if you know it. 2. Ask in both the casualtys ears to open their eyes. 3. Pinch an ear lobe or gently tap the shoulders. 4. Shout for HELP! 5. DO NOT move the casualty unless the environment or situation is dangerous.

3) Shout Call for help If alone call for help. If someone responds to your call ask them to stay with you whilst you assess the Airway and Breathing. One of you should wait with the casualty whilst the other calls the emergency medical services (EMS). NB If no-one responds do not leave the casualty but go on to assess the airway and breathing. Calling the emergency medical services Lift the receiver and wait for a dialling tone. DIAL 999 IN UK (112 IN EUROPE) The operator will ask you which service you require. Once you have stated ambulance you will be connected to ambulance control. The operator will ask you a set of questions. Do not hang up at any stage of the conversation. The operator will terminate the call when appropriate. Isolate or cordon off the exposed, damaged or faulty electrical source As soon as possible after the casualty has been taken to hospital report the incident to the local supervisor. Give all information you can as an IRF needs to be completed for all accidents and incidents. Leave details about yourself so that you can be contacted should the need arise. Report defective equipment that caused the shock (if applicable) so that repairs can be made. RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995). 4) Airway For an unresponsive casulaty open the airway 1. Look in the mouth to ensure there are no obvious obstructions. 2. Open the airway by lifting the chin and tilting the head back. This will free the tongue from the back of the throat. 3. If neck/spinal injury is suspected, put one hand on the stomach to feel if it rises and falls. This indicates normal breathing. Assess for breathing 1. LOOK for the rise and fall of the chest. 2. LISTEN for sounds of breathing. 3. FEEL for air on your cheek. 4. Carry this out for up to 10 seconds.

Breathing normally If breathing is present go straight to the Recovery Position section. Not breathing If the casualty is not breathing normally, commence full Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). If you are alone, leave the casualty at this stage and call for help. Return to the casualty and commence CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation). 5) Breathing & Circulation To commence CPR: For an unresponsive casualty 1. Ensure the casualty is on a firm, flat surface. 2. Place your hands one on top of the other in the centre of the casualtys chest 3. Compress the chest (up to a maximum depth of approximately 4-5cm) 30 times at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. The compressions and releases should take an equal amount of time. 4. After 30 compressions, open the airway again using head tilt/chin lift. 5. Seal the nostrils with your thumb and forefinger (Fig 2). 6. Blow steadily into the mouth until you see the chest rise, take about a second to make the chest rise. It is advisable to have Resuscitation Equipment at this stage such as a face shield. 7. Remove your mouth to the side and let chest fall. Inhale some fresh air, when breathing for the casualty. 8. Repeat so you have given 2 effective rescue breaths in total. 9. If chest does not rise after the second breath, go back to 30 compressions then try again with 2 breaths. 10. Return your hands to the correct position on the chest and give a further 30 chest compressions. Continue with CPR until The casualty shows signs of recovery. Emergency services arrive. You become exhausted and unable to continue. The situation changes and you are now in immediate danger.

6) Recovery Position Unconscious and breathing noramlly Turn the casualty into the recovery position. The recovery position is used when a casualty is unconscious and breathing. The recovery position allows the head to be placed tilted back and down. This stops the tongue from blocking the airway and will allow any vomit and fluid to drain from the mouth. If the casulaty is breathing normally 1. Check for any other obvious injuries. 2. Remove sharp objects from pockets. 3. Turn the casualty into the recovery position. 4. Place the nearest arm at a right angle to the body. 5. Draw the furthest arm across the chest and place the back of the hand across the cheek. 6. Keep this here whilst you raise the furthest leg by grasping the top of the knee. 7. Gently pull on the knee so that the casualty pivots over onto their side facing you. 8. The casualty should be fully over and stable. 9. Re-check the airway, breathing and circulation. 10. Draw up the leg at a 90 degree angle. 11. Check for continued breathing. 12. Send someone to ring 999. EMS or if you are alone, leave the casualty and call 999 / EMS yourself. 7) Burns Burns Exposure to electricity can cause burns to the skin and, in severe cases, internal organs. In such cases the electricity may, for example, enter via a hand and leave via the feet causing entry and exit burns. Conscious casualties Cool burns for a minimum of 10 minutes under cold water. Unconscious casualties

Cool the burn with wet dressings after placing them in the recovery position.

DO NOT Burst any blisters. Apply adhesive dressings. Remove damaged skin. Apply ointments/creams. Cover with fluffy dressings. Affix dressing too tightly. Apply butter/fats/margarine. Remove damaged clothing. Apply ice.

8) Other Injuries Muscle spasm/seizures These may be present for some time after the exposure to electricity and indicate a seriously ill casualty. Action in the event of a major seizure 1. The casualty will almost definitely collapse during a major seizure. Try to control the fall. 2. Ensure the safety of the casualty by removing any objects that may cause injury if they are struck. 3. Place padding under the head of the casualty. Improvise if necessary by using clothing. 4. DO NOT place anything in the casualtys mouth. 5. Loosen any clothing that may restrict the airway. 6. When the seizure has subsided: 7. Check the casualtys Airway, Breathing and Circulation (ABC). 8. If unconscious and breathing normally or semi-conscious, place the casualty in the recovery position (see opposite). Perform CPR if not breathing. 9. Can also put a blanket over casualty to preserve modesty, also time the seizure. 10. Reassure the casualty whilst continuing to monitor the ABC and any other injuries.

Casualties with no apparent injury If no injury is present and the casualty appears well, it is still advisable to take the casualty to a hospital or medical facility for a check up, as certain organs/systems within the body may be affected several hours after a shock. The information contained is for guidance only and should not be used as a substitute for recognised training.

First Aid For Electric Shock Emergency Conditions

Electric Shock

Electric shock occurs when an electric current flows through the body. The human body is made up of 60% to 70% water. This makes it a good conductor of electricity. Burns, damage to internal organs, heart rhythm problems, and death can result from electric shock. Signs & Symptoms Shocking sensations. Numbness or tingling. A change in vision, speech, or in any sensation. Burns or open wounds. These occur where the electricity enters and exits the body. Muscle spasms or contractions. Sudden immobility or fractures. A body part may looked deformed. Interrupted breathing. Irregular heartbeats or chest pain. Seizures. Unconsciousness.

A small child who bites or sucks on an electric cord can have a facial injury or distinct burn around the rim of the mouth.

Electric Shock can cause tissue damage under the skin's surface. Causes Touching a high-voltage (more than 1,000 volts) source, such as high-tension wires that fall during a storm. Touching someone who is still touching a live current. Touching a low-voltage (less than 1,000 volts) current source, such as an electric socket or worn cord. Mixing water and electricity. Being struck by lightning. A bolt of lightning carries as many as 30 million volts.

Treatment Contact with electricity from a high-voltage wire or being struck by lightning needs emergency medical care. Contact with electricity from a low-voltage current needs emergency medical care if any signs or symptoms listed above are present. A person who does not have any symptoms should still see a doctor to check for possible internal injuries.

To Avoid Being Harmed by Lightning Heed weather warnings. Take shelter in a building, if you can. Stay in your car (if it is not a convertible) rather than out in the open. If you are caught outside, avoid tall trees, open water, metal objects, and high ground. Crawl into a low-lying place or curl up on the ground, head to knees with your head touching the ground. Self-Care / First Aid

Beware! Do not put yourself in danger to give first aid. Do not touch the person until power is shut off.

If the source is a high-voltage wire or lightning, call 9-1-1!

It is safe to touch a person struck by lightning. If the source is a low-voltage current, remove the fuse or switch off the circuit breaker to the electrical outlet. If you can't shut off the source, with dry feet and hands, use a board, wooden stick, rope, etc. to get the person away from the source. If it is safe for you to touch the person, check for a response. (See Step 2 in First Aid Precautions.) Give CPR, as needed. Unless it is absolutely necessary, don't move the person. He or she could have a traumatic injury, especially to the head or neck. Check for burns. Cover burned areas with dry, sterile dressings. Give first aid for Shock, if needed. Prevention

Stay clear of fallen wires. Inform the police, electric company, etc. Install ground-fault circuit-interrupters (GFCIs) in wall outlets of bathrooms, kitchens, etc. With GFCIs, when an electrical appliance falls into water, the current is instantly cut off. Don't turn electrical switches on or off or touch an electric appliance while your hands are wet, while standing in water, or when sitting in a bathtub. Replace worn cords and wiring.

Heed warnings to avoid electrical hazards. Cover all electric sockets with plastic safety caps. Before you do electrical repairs, remove the fuse from the fuse box or switch off the circuit breaker. Don't just turn off the appliance or light switch. Electrical Shock:

Strange as it may seem, most fatal electrical shocks happen to people who should know better. Here are some electromedical facts that should make you think twice before taking chances. It's not the voltage but the current that kills. People have been killed by 100 volts AC in the home and with as little as 42 volts DC. The real measure of a shock's intensity lies in the amount of current (in milliamperes) forced through the body. Any electrical device used on a house wiring circuit can, under certain conditions, transmit a fatal amount of current. Currents between 100 and 200 milliamperes (0.1 ampere and 0.2 ampere) are fatal. Anything in the neighborhood of 10 milliamperes (0.01) is capable of producing painful to severe shock. Take a look at Table AI-1. Readings Safe Current Values Unsafe current values Effects Causes no sensation - not felt. Sensation of shock, not painful; Individual can let go at will since muscular control is not lost. Painful shock; individual can let go at will since muscular control is not lost. Painful shock; control of adjacent muscles lost; victim can not let go. Ventricular fibrillation - a heart condition that can result in death - is possible. Ventricular fibrillation occurs. Servere burns, severe muscular contractions - so severe that chest muscles clamp the heart and stop it for the duration of the shock. (This prevents ventricular fibrillation).

1 mA or less 1 mA to 8 mA 8 mA to 15 mA

15 mA to 20 mA

50 mA to 100 mA

100 mA to 200 mA 200 mA and over

As the current rises, the shock becomes more severe. Below 20 milliamperes, breathing becomes labored; it ceases completely even at values below 75 milliamperes. As the current approaches 100 milliamperes ventricular fibrillation occurs. This is an uncoordinated twitching of the walls of the heart's ventricles. Since you don't know how much current went through the body, it is necessary to perform artificial respiration to try to get the person breathing again; or if the heart is not beating, cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is necessary. Electrical shock occurs when a person comes in contact with two conductors of a circuit or when the body becomes part of the electrical circuit. In either case, a severe shock can cause the heart and lungs to stop functioning. Also, severe burns may occur where current enters and exits the body. Prevention is the best medicine for electrical shock. Respect all voltages, have a knowledge of the principles of electricity, and follow safe work procedures.Do not take chances. All electricians should be encouraged to take a basic course in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) so they can aid a coworker in emergency situations. Always make sure portable electric tools are in safe operating condition. Make sure there is a third wire on the plug for grounding in case of shorts. The fault current should flow through the third wire to ground

instead of through the operator's body to ground if electric power tools are grounded and if an insulation breakdown occurs. FIRST AID FOR ELECTRIC SHOCK: Shock is a common occupational hazard associated with working with electricity. A person who has stopped breathing is not necessarily dead but is in immediate danger. Life is dependent on oxygen, which is breathed into the lungs and then carried by the blood to everybody cell. Since body cells cannot store oxygen and since the blood can hold only a limited amount (and only for a short time), death will surely result from continued lack of breathing. However, the heart may continue to beat for some time after breathing has stopped, and the blood may still be circulated to the body cells. Since the blood will, for a short time, contain a small supply of oxygen, the body cells will not die immediately. For a very few minutes, there is some chance that the person's life may be saved. The process by which a person who has stopped breathing can be saved is called artificial ventilation (respiration). The purpose of artificial respiration is to force air out of the lungs and into the lungs, in rhythmic alternation, until natural breathing is reestablished. Records show that seven out of ten victims of electric shock were revived when artificial respiration was started in less than three minutes. After three minutes, the chances of revival decrease rapidly. Artificial ventilation should be given only when the breathing has stopped. Do not give artificial ventilation to any person who is breathing naturally. You should not assume that an individual who is unconscious due to electrical shock has stopped breathing. To tell if someone suffering from an electrical shock is breathing, place your hands on the person's sides at the level of the lowest ribs. If the victim is breathing, you will usually be able to feel movement. Once it has been determined that breathing has stopped, the person nearest the victim should start the artificial ventilation without delay and send others for assistance and medical aid. The only logical, permissible delay is that required to free the victim from contact with the electricity in the quickest, safest way. This step, while it must be taken quickly, must be done with great care; otherwise, there may be two victims instead of one. In the case of portable electric tools, lights, appliances, equipment, or portable outlet extensions, the victim should be freed from contact with the electricity by turning off the supply switch or by removing the plug from its receptacle. If the switch or receptacle cannot be quickly located, the suspected electrical device may be pulled free of the victim. Other persons arriving on the scene must be clearly warned not to touch the suspected equipment until it is de energized. The injured person should be pulled free of contact with stationary equipment (such as a bus bar) if the equipment cannot be quickly de energized or if the survival of others relies on the electricity and prevents immediate shutdown of the circuits. This can be done quickly and easily by carefully applying the following procedures: 1. Protect yourself with dry insulating material. 2. Use a dry board, belt, clothing, or other available nonconductive material to free the victim from electrical contact. Do NOT touch the victim until the source of electricity has been removed. Once the victim has been removed from the electrical source, it should be determined whether the person is breathing. If the person is not breathing, a method of artificial respiration is used.

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