What to Do If You Are Involved with a Possible Electrocution

The following is taken in part from the OSHA,
NIOSH, NSC regulations, and the American Heart
Association recommendations. These are steps that
should be taken in the event of a possible electrocution
(cardiac arrest). You need to refer to the actual
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructions
for complete and detailed requirements, and to take
CPR training.
• First of all, you must recognize that an emergency
exists. Timing is everything. The time
between the accident and arrival of paramedics
is crucial. Call 911 immediately. Don’t delay.
• Don’t touch the person if he or she is still in
contact with the live circuit.
• Shut off the power.
• Stay with the person while someone else contacts
the paramedics, who have training in the
basics of life support. In most localities, telephoning
911 will get you to the paramedics.
• Have the caller verify that the call was made
and that help is on the way.
• Don’t move the person.
• Check for bleeding; stop the bleeding if it
occurs.
• If the person is unconscious, check for breathing.
• The ABCs of CPR are: airway must be clear;
breathing is a must, either by the victim or the
rescuer; and circulation (check pulse).
• Perform CPR if the victim is not breathing—
within 4 minutes is critical. If the brain is
deprived of oxygen for more than 4 minutes,
brain damage will occur. If it is deprived of
oxygen for more than 10 minutes, the survival
rate is 1 in 100. CPR keeps oxygenated blood
flowing to the brain and heart.
• Defibrillation may be necessary to reestablish
a normal heartbeat. Ventricular fibrillation is
common with electric shock, which causes the
heartbeat to be uneven and unable to properly
pump blood.
• By now, the trained paramedics should have
arrived to apply advanced care.
• When it comes to an electrical shock, timing is
everything!