The first thing you must do is disconnect the power supply. Don’t even touch the victim until you are sure that the power supply is turned off. Be especially careful in wet areas, such as bathrooms, as water conducts electricity. It may be safer to turn off the electricity supply to the building if possible to be absolutely sure.
First aid for electrical shock includes:
Check
for a person’s response and breathing. It may be necessary to commence
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Call
108 for an ambulance. If you are unsure of resuscitation
techniques, the ambulance call-taker will give you easy-to-follow instructions
over the telephone, so you can increase the person’s chances of survival until
the ambulance arrives.
If
their breathing is steady and they are responsive, attend to their injuries.
Cool the burns with cool running water for 20 minutes and cover with dressings,
if available, that won’t stick. Simple cling wrap found in most kitchens is
very suitable to cover burns as long as it is not applied tightly. Never put
ointments or oils onto burns. If the person has fallen from a height, try not
to move them unnecessarily in case they have spinal injuries. Only move them if
there is a chance of further danger from the environment (such as falling
objects).
Talk
calmly and reassuringly to the person.
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