General & First Aid
Electric Shock
Injury from electrical current passing through the body — causing cardiac arrest, severe burns, and internal damage — requiring immediate separation from the source and CPR.
📝 Summary
In short: Injury from electrical current passing through the body — causing cardiac arrest, severe burns, and internal damage — requiring immediate separation from the source and CPR.
Common causes: Contact with live electrical wiring or equipment; Lightning strike; High-voltage lines.
First thing to try: DO NOT TOUCH the victim while they are still in contact with the current — you will be electrocuted too
See a doctor if: Immediately after any electrical shock — even if the person appears unhurt, internal organ damage, cardiac arrhythmias, and severe burns may not be immediately apparent.
🌿 Overview
Electric shock can cause cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and severe burns — including internal burns invisible from the outside. Do NOT touch a person still in contact with a live current. Lightning strike victims can be touched immediately and may require prolonged CPR.
Common signs
- Burns at entry and exit points of the current
- Cardiac arrest or arrhythmia
- Loss of consciousness
- Respiratory arrest
- Muscle spasms and pain
- Even small electrical burns may mask severe internal damage
🔎 Why it happens
Common causes and triggers — spotting yours is often the first step to relief.
- Contact with live electrical wiring or equipment
- Lightning strike
- High-voltage lines
- Faulty appliances and equipment
- Working with electricity in wet conditions
✅ What to do
Gentle, practical steps you can take at home — start at the top.
- DO NOT TOUCH the victim while they are still in contact with the current — you will be electrocuted too
- Turn off the electricity: pull the main electrical switch or remove the fuse; or call the electric company
- If you cannot turn off the power: stand on something dry (wood, rubber, newspaper, blanket); wearing dry gloves if available; use a dry wooden pole or broom handle to push/pull the victim away from the current — NEVER use anything wet or metal
- Once the victim is free: check breathing — begin CPR if needed
- Call emergency services; get to a hospital even if the person seems fine
- Treat for shock
- A person struck by LIGHTNING may be touched immediately — begin CPR at once if needed
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🍽️ Eating to help
Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.
Favor these
- Supportive nutrition during recovery: vitamin E for burn healing, vitamin C for tissue repair
Go easy on
- Nothing specific — medical treatment is the priority
All electrical injuries require hospital evaluation even if the person appears uninjured — internal damage is common.
⚖️ Good to know
- The primary danger for the rescuer is touching the victim while still in contact with live current
- Even small burns may indicate severe internal damage — always seek medical evaluation
- Do NOT use wet or metal objects to move victim from live wire
🩺 When to see a doctor
- Immediately after any electrical shock — even if the person appears unhurt, internal organ damage, cardiac arrhythmias, and severe burns may not be immediately apparent.
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