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First aid

First Aid

Electric
An electric shock happens when a person touches an electrical energy source.
Electrical current flowing through a part of the body will cause a shock.


Shock

Electrocution is death caused by electric shock.

Effects

Shock from current at low voltage: your blood pressure could rise or fall, your pulse gets faster, you may have difficulty breathing, you could lose consciousness and you may suffer a heart attack. You could also receive burns at the point the electricity enters and leaves your body on the way to the ground.

Shock from current at high voltage: this is always likely to cause death by electrocution.

What to do
What to do if someone gets an electric shock?
Never touch the person receiving the electric shock until the electricity is switched off and you are sure it is safe to do so.
Danger If you touch them, you could get an electric shock or be electrocuted yourself.
Action Shout for a grown up to help

If the injured person is CONSCIOUS and seems unharmed, he/she should be told to rest.
Call a doctor


If the injured person is UNCONSCIOUS, open the airway and check breathing; be ready to resuscitate if necessary. Place the casualty in the recovery position and
Dial 999


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ESC

The Electrical Safety Council 2008