EMS, first responders and everyone must know these safety tips when rendering electric shock first aid
If you or a loved one has been injured in an electricity-related incident, then knowing how to provide electric shock first aid will be essential to protecting yourself or your loved one and preventing further injury.
Electric shock can cause its victims to suffer serious, life-altering injuries, which is why administering first aid as soon as possible is vital.
Today, I want to talk about what everyone – including emergency responders and EMS should do – when they are confronted with an accident scene involving a person who has suffered an electric shock.
Safety tips when rendering electric shock first aid at an accident scene
Here is safety advice for anyone including first responders to keep in mind when they are attempting to provide electric shock first aid to a shock victim:
- Because the accident scene may pose an ongoing danger to the electric shock victim and to people trying to administer first aid, it’s crucial that it first be determined that the scene is safe. If it’s not safe, then first aid must be delayed until the arrival of trained emergency personnel and/or utility workers to cut electricity to the area.
- One of the most important electric shock first aid safety steps is making sure the victim is no longer in contact with the electricity source that caused the electric shock and/or no longer within the rings of voltage given off by the electricity source. Called “step potential,” this phenomenon describes how the conductor of electricity gives off rippling waves of voltage which can injure or kill a person, even though he or she has not even touched or made direct contact with the downed powerline or other conductor. If the victim is still in contact with – or within “step potential” range of – the electricity source, then do not touch them.
- Where possible, turn off the electricity source that caused the electric shock. Alternatively, if it can be safely done without creating a risk of additional electric shock, try to move the electricity source away from the victim by using a dry, nonconducting object made of cardboard, plastic, wood, rubber, rope or fiberglass. Do not use anything made of metal or that is wet or moist as all of those are conductors of electricity.
- Watch for downed power lines at a car accident (especially if one or more of the vehicles struck a utility pole). Always consider and treat a downed power line as energized unless and until a utility professional has assured you otherwise.
- Watch for downed power lines in more remote areas. For instance, the downed power line may have made contact with a guy wire, which is wire that stabilizes the utility pole.
- Call 911 as well as local emergency services and the relevant utility or power company that provides the electricity in question.
What treatment should be included as part of the first aid treatment rendered to the victim at the accident scene?
Electric shock can be unlike many other injuries, especially because its effects on the body are not always immediately apparent to EMS, first responders and other care providers.
At a minimum, the following electric shock first aid treatment should be considered:
- Call 911 immediately
- Check to see if the victim is breathing
- Check the victim for a heart beat
- Check to see if the victim vomiting or losing color in their face
- Examine victim for contact points
- Examine victim for thermal burns
- Examine victim for full thickness thermal burns
- Consider the possibility of internal injuries
- Treat severe electrical burns
- Keep the victim warm
Call 911 immediately
Call 911 immediately especially if the burn has penetrated all layers of the skin, the skin looks leathery or charred with white brown or black patches.
Check to make sure the victim is breathing
If he or she is not breathing or having difficulty, then begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. As necessary, use supplemental oxygen and engage a cardiac monitor.
Check the victim’s heartbeat
If the electric shock victim’s heart has stopped beating, then someone trained in first aid CPR will need to immediately begin CPR.
Check to see if the victim is vomiting or losing color in the face
If the victim is vomiting, losing color in his or her face and/or feeling faint, then they may be going into shock and must immediately be treated for shock. This includes lying the victim down on his or her side if there’s a loss of consciousness.
Examine the victim for contact points
Look for points on the skin that show where a burn occurred, fractures, dislocations and neurological deficits. Provide spine assessment and immobilization where necessary.
Examine victim for thermal burns
To examine for thermal burns as part of electric shock first aid, look for indicators such as redness, blistering, skin discoloration (white, brown, or black patches), swelling, pain, and a leathery texture. Evaluate the burn’s depth by determining if the skin blanches under pressure and classifying it as superficial (redness only), partial-thickness (blisters), or full-thickness (dry, leathery skin with no sensation). Pay special attention to sensitive areas like the face, hands, feet, and genitals, and seek immediate medical care for burns that are large, deep, or located in critical regions.
Examine victim for full thickness burns
While administering first aid to the electric shock victim it is important to examine them for full thickness burns (third-degree thermal burn. These burns are characterized by a charred, white or blackend appearance with no blisters and often have a leathery texture due to the complete destruction of the epidermis and dermis. If these burns are present, call 911 immediately as they are serious and need care from a medical professional.
Treat severe electrical burns
When providing electric shock first aid, treat severe electrical burns by cutting away loose clothing, immersing the burned areas in cold water, and covering them with a sterile gauze bandage—avoiding Band-Aids or anything that will stick to the burn.
Consider the possibility of internal injuries
If you suspect any internal injuries call 911 immediately as these injuries require immediate professional care.
Keep the victim warm
When keeping the victim warm be sure to not use a blanket or towel because loose fibers can stick to the burns.
Why you should hire an electrocution lawyer after electric shock first aid
Even if you’ve received first aid and appear to be okay after an accident with electricity, the effects of an electric shock can be serious and sometimes delayed. Internal injuries, nerve damage, or heart complications may not be immediately obvious. Hiring an electrocution lawyer ensures your rights are protected and that you have expert guidance in pursuing compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, long-term treatment, and pain and suffering.
Our specialized electrical injury attorneys can investigate the cause of your accident—whether it involved faulty equipment, unsafe workplace conditions, or negligence—and hold the responsible parties accountable. Acting early also helps preserve crucial evidence, document your injuries, and navigate complex insurance claims or legal processes.
