ELECTRICAL SHOCK

Electrical shock is an injury is caused by an electrical current passing through the body.

Factors that determine the form and severity of injury:

·         The type and magnitude of current

·         The resistance of body  at the point of contact- different tissues in the body will offer different resistance,

·         The current pathway through the body and the duration of current flow. 

·         AC is particularly three to five time more dangerous than DC.

·         What happens to a body subjected to electric shock 

Electrical Injuries

 

What happens to a body subjected to electric shock? 

·        Muscular contraction.

·        Shortness of breath,

·        Chest pain,

·        Abdominal pain.

·        Pain In A Hand Or Foot Or A Deformity Of A Part Of The Body May Indicate A Possible Broken Bone Resulting From The Electric Shock.

·        Red or dark, charred appearance. 

·        Numbness

·        Tingling

·        Paralysis

·        Hearing Loss

·        Speech Problems

·        Shock  

When someone has been electrocuted:

First aid  

·        Call the doctor

·        Look first. Don't touch. The person may still be in contact with the electrical source. Touching the person may pass the current through you.     

1.       Turn off the source of electricity if possible. If not, move the source away from you and the affected person using a non conducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.  

2.       Check for breathing. Once the person is free of the source of electricity, ensure the person is breathing. If breathing has stopped or you suspect the person's airway is blocked, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

3.       When breathing. If the victim is unresponsive and breathing and circulation are normal, elevate his foot end by eight to twelve inches. Maintain the normal body temperature.

4.       Cover the affected areas. If the person is breathing, cover any burned areas with a sterile gauze bandage, if available, or a clean cloth. Don't use a blanket or towel. Fluffy fibers can be irritating.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke, also known as sunstroke, is a form of heat illness. Heat illness occurs when a person's core body temperature rises above a safe level of the body's internal temperature range. Heat cramps are the earliest sign of heat illness. If precautions to cool off and rehydrate at this point are not made, the more severe stage of heat illness, heat exhaustion, can occur in a rapid progression, resulting in a potentially life-threatening situation. The most severe form of heat illness is heatstroke, which may result in shock, brain damage, or death.

Signs and Symptoms:-

A person with heatstroke may have:

·         A high body temperature (above 102° F)

·         Skin that is red and hot with lack of sweating (sweating that has stopped)

·         Small pupils

·         A rapid, weak pulse

·         Rapid, shallow breathing

·         Extreme confusion or irritability

·         Weakness

·         Seizures

·         Unconsciousness

You can differentiate the most severe form of heat illness, heatstroke, from less-severe forms by comparing the person's symptoms to those above. Less-severe forms of heat illness can be identified as follows:

·         Heat cramps – Painful muscle cramps (eg, in the legs, arms, abdomen, or back), heavy perspiration, and general weakness/lightheadedness.

·         Heat exhaustion – Feelings of nausea, light-headedness, or thirst, and the person may act irrationally, have dilated pupils (pupils are larger than normal), be very sweaty, or have cool and moist skin that is either reddened or pale.

First Aid Guide:-

When heatstroke is suspected, seek emergency medical care immediately. While awaiting emergency medical services, try to cool the person as described below:-
Use a combination of the following measures depending on the circumstances and means available:

·         Have the person rest, legs slightly elevated, in a shaded area or cool or air-conditioned building, room, or car.

·         Remove or loosen the person's clothes.

·         Give the person an electrolyte drink, such as Gatorade® or Pedialyte®,or water if not available. Note: You can make a salted drink by adding 1 teaspoon of salt to one quart of water. Do not give beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol.

·         Wrap the person in wet cloth, and position a fan toward him/her. Evaporation of water on the skin aids in cooling.

·         Apply cold compresses (e.g., to neck, armpits, groin).