An electric shock occurs when electrical current passes through the body, causing reactions from minor discomfort to severe injury. Effects depend on factors related to the current and the individual. While diverse health consequences can result, some injury types are more frequently observed.
Electric Burns: The Most Common Injury
Burns are the most common injury from electric shock. When electrical current encounters resistance as it travels through the body’s tissues, it generates heat. This directly damages tissues, leading to burns that vary from superficial skin damage to profound internal destruction.
Electric burns often manifest as distinct entry and exit wounds on the skin, marking where the current entered and left the body. However, the most severe damage often occurs internally along the current’s path, affecting muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, which may not be immediately visible externally. Burns can also result from the heat generated by an arc flash or from clothing igniting due to the intense heat. Even low-voltage domestic electricity can cause deep burns if contact is prolonged.
How Electric Shocks Injure the Body
Electrical current causes harm to the body through several mechanisms. The severity of an electric shock injury is influenced by factors such as the voltage and amperage of the current, the duration of contact, and the specific path the current takes through the body. The human body is a conductor of electricity, and the moisture in tissues facilitates the current’s flow.
When electricity passes through the body, it disrupts normal electrical signals controlling essential bodily functions. It can interfere with nerve impulses, leading to muscle spasms or loss of muscle control, which might prevent a person from letting go of the source. It can also disrupt the heart’s natural rhythm, potentially causing irregular beats or cardiac arrest. The heat generated by current passage can lead to widespread cellular damage and swelling, affecting organ function.
Other Serious Electric Shock Injuries
While burns are prevalent, electric shocks can cause other serious, potentially life-threatening injuries. The heart is particularly vulnerable; current passing through the chest can induce dangerous cardiac arrhythmias or immediate cardiac arrest. Neurological damage is also a concern, with effects ranging from temporary loss of consciousness, seizures, and headaches to long-term nerve damage, memory loss, and sensory disturbances like numbness or tingling.
Forceful muscle contractions from electric current can lead to bone fractures or joint dislocations. Respiratory arrest can occur if the current affects the brain’s control over breathing or paralyzes respiratory muscles. Beyond direct electrical trauma, secondary injuries like falls can result if a person is thrown or loses balance after a shock, leading to concussions, fractures, or other bodily harm.
What To Do After an Electric Shock and Prevention
If someone experiences an electric shock, immediate action is necessary, prioritizing safety. First, ensure the area is safe by disconnecting the power source, either by turning off the main switch or unplugging the appliance. Do not touch the person if they are still in contact with the electrical source, as current can pass to you. Once power is off, call for emergency medical help, even if the person appears unharmed, as internal injuries may not be immediately visible.
Basic first aid can be administered once power is disconnected and it is safe to approach. Check for breathing and pulse, and be prepared to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary. For burns, cover affected areas with a clean, dry dressing.
Preventing electric shocks involves exercising caution:
- Regularly inspect electrical cords for damage.
- Avoid using electrical appliances near water.
- Ensure proper wiring in homes.
- Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in outlets, especially in wet areas, for added protection.