Electrical
Injuries
Everyone
experiences minor electrical shocks from time
to time. In some cases, however, even small
amounts of electricity can be life-threatening
because they can produce unconsciousness,
cardiac arrest, and cessation of breathing.
Electrical shocks also can produce serious,
deep burns and tissue injury, although often
even a serious electrical burn appears as only
a minor mark on the skin. If you find a person
whom you think has been electrocuted, look
first--do not touch. He or she may still be in
contact with the electrical source, and
touching him or her may only pass the current
through you.
If possible, turn off the source of
electricity. Once the person
is free of the source of electricity, check
the person's breathing and pulse. If either
has stopped or seems dangerously slow or
shallow, initiate resuscitation immediately
(see Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).
If the
person is faint or pale or shows other signs
of shock (see Shock),
lay the person down with the head slightly
lower than the trunk of his or her body and
the legs elevated. Treat any major burns (see Burns) and wait for
Hatzoloh to arrive.
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DISCLAIMER:
Under no conditions responsibility is being accepted by
the authors of this site, or anyone else related to this site regarding the
consequences of use of the information distributed in this documentation in any
First Aid application.
THIS IS A TUTORIAL, HENCE A STUDY
AID, NOT A FIRST AID MANUAL.
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