- If the victim is still in contact with the source of the current
- If the victim is unconscious, has stopped breathing or has no pulse
- If the victim was in contact with the source of the current for several seconds
- If the victim was thrown by the shock
- If the victim touched a source of over 600 volts
- If the victim has burn marks or black dots on their skin at the points where electricity entered their body
- If the victim seems uninjured but felt the current pass through their body
- If the shock victim is pregnant
If the victim is still in contact with the source of the current
- 11. Don’t touch the victim. You might get a shock, too.
- 2If you can do so without jeopardizing your safety, cut the power off at the source.
- 3Call 911, even if the victim seems uninjured.
- 4Make sure someone accompanies the victim to the hospital, preferably someone who witnessed the accident and can provide details about the electric shock to medical staff.
If the victim is unconscious, has stopped breathing or has no pulse
- 1Call for help and dial 911.
-
2
Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until the ambulance arrives.
A severe electric shock may cause cardiac arrest. But if the heart is uninjured, CPR can be extremely effective.
- 3Make sure someone accompanies the victim to the hospital, preferably someone who witnessed the accident and can provide details about the electric shock to medical staff.
If the victim was in contact with the source of the current for several seconds
- 1Call 911.
-
2
Do not touch the burns to limit the risk of infection. Cover the victim’s injuries with a clean, dry cloth.
Black dots on the victim’s skin could indicate that they have much more serious internal burns.
- 3Make sure someone accompanies the victim to the hospital, preferably someone who witnessed the accident and can provide details about the electric shock to medical staff.
If the victim was thrown by the shock
- 1Call 911.
-
2
Do not touch the burns to limit the risk of infection. Cover the victim’s injuries with a clean, dry cloth.
Black dots on the victim’s skin could indicate that they have much more serious internal burns.
- 3Make sure someone accompanies the victim to the hospital, preferably someone who witnessed the accident and can provide details about the electric shock to medical staff.
If the victim touched a source of over 600 volts
- 1Call 911.
-
2
Do not touch the burns to limit the risk of infection. Cover the victim’s injuries with a clean, dry cloth.
Black dots on the victim’s skin could indicate that they have much more serious internal burns.
- 3Make sure someone accompanies the victim to the hospital, preferably someone who witnessed the accident and can provide details about the electric shock to medical staff.
If the victim has burn marks or black dots on their skin at the points where electricity entered their body
- 1Call 911.
-
2
Do not touch the burns to limit the risk of infection. Cover the victim’s injuries with a clean, dry cloth.
Black dots on the victim’s skin could indicate that they have much more serious internal burns.
- 3Make sure someone accompanies the victim to the hospital, preferably someone who witnessed the accident and can provide details about the electric shock to medical staff.
If the victim seems uninjured but felt the current pass through their body
- 1Take the victim to a hospital emergency room immediately.
- 2Make sure someone stays with the victim at the hospital, preferably someone who witnessed the accident and can provide details about the electric shock to medical staff.
If the shock victim is pregnant
- 1Take the victim to a hospital emergency room immediately.
- 2Make sure someone stays with the victim at the hospital, preferably someone who witnessed the accident and can provide details about the electric shock to medical staff.
To avoid electric shocks…
Stay clear of situations that might put you at risk of coming into contact with electricity.
Take a few minutes to learn how to prevent easily avoidable accidents.