Signs of electric shock
To be able to provide first aid quickly and promptly, you need to know exactly what condition the person being electrocuted is in. Some common signs include:
Around the victim are exposed power lines, electrical conductors and the victim has at least one of the following signs:
Loss of consciousness;
Convulsions;
Difficulty breathing;
Instructions on how to handle it properly when seeing someone being electrocuted
In situations where the victim is electrocuted, you need to follow the steps below to ensure safety not only for the person being electrocuted but also for yourself.
6 steps to provide first aid to a person being electrocuted in the safest way
Step 1: Quickly turn off the power source.
Quickly disconnect the power source.
Step 2: Separate the victim from the power source.
Do not have direct contact with the ground or floor: wear dry shoes, stand on a chair, etc.
Use dry, non-conductive materials to separate the current from the victim: a plastic broom handle, a wooden stick, etc. If the current cannot be separated from the victim, pull them away from the power source by wrapping a rope or dry towel around the victim's ankle and pulling them away from the power source.
Separate the victim from the power source
Situation 1: The victim is still conscious
Put the victim in a safe side-lying position.
Monitor the victim's condition.
Situation 2: The victim is unconscious
Check the victim's vital signs (consciousness - breathing - pulse)
Step 4: Call for help
Step 5: If the victim has all 3 signs below, call 115 and then perform CPR.
Unconscious
No breathing or gasping (short, rapid and irregular breathing, occurring in the first few minutes after cardiac arrest);
No carotid or radial pulse
First aid for electric shock victims
Step 6: Find and provide first aid for associated injuries;
Electrical burns: Take to the hospital even if the burn is small;
First aid for bleeding wounds
Guide to first aid for broken bones
First aiders may be shocked if they come into direct contact with the victim.
If the victim is unconscious, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the most important first aid measure at the scene of the incident.
Always pay attention to finding associated injuries caused by electric shock such as: Trauma, impact, burns, etc.
First aid for electric shock incorrectly
Hopefully, this guide will guide you on how to give first aid to someone who has been electrocuted correctly and safely. This will help you feel confident when you encounter similar situations in real life. To ensure safety after first aid, you should immediately take the person who has been electrocuted to the nearest medical facility for assistance.