Electrocution can be defined as a severe injury which is caused by an electric shock, especially when an electric current crosses through the human body. It should be realised that all modern homes, as well as electrical appliances, generally run on AC or Alternating Current. Even if you’re not good with electricity and electrical systems, still you might know that AC is more dangerous than DC or Direct Current.
Keeping the same in perspective, we are sharing some of the best first aid methods to deal with electrocution – created with the help of home inspector in Toronto services.
Knowing More About Alternating Current And Its Harmfulness
You must know that an alternating current of even 70 to 80 mA can definitely much more fatal than a direct current of 200 to 250 mA. The human body can tolerate Direct Current without any damage, but when it comes to AC, it leads to muscle contraction.
The more duration the electrical contact is, the more damage AC will do to the human body. Some of the severe after-effects of AC electrocution are numbness, loss of consciousness, muscle contractions, difficulty in breathing, seizures, burns and so on. Furthermore, wet skin will have a thousand times more conduction rate for AC than dry skin.
Learning About The First Aid For Electrocution
The following methods should be carried out for first aid measures in a result of electrocution of a human being:
- Firstly, turn off the power source and thereby ask the person to move away from the primary electricity source with the help of a non-conducting, dry object that is made up of wood, rubber or cardboard.
- In case the incident has occurred on the outside, then it’s suggested that you obtain help from the local board of electricity. This is to disconnect the power altogether and thereby prevent others from getting affected.
- Ensure that you call someone who is a medical person right away and wait till the team arrives. Once the medical person or group arrives, try to perform the following measures (as per the priority basis):
1. Remove the clothing of the affected person.
2. Look for any signs of coughing, breathing or movement.
3. Try to cool the victim’s body by pouring tap water for almost 20 minutes.
4. If there’s any burnt body part, clean it and thereby apply any antiseptic ointments onto the same. - Begin providing enough fluids to the victim so that the victim doesn’t die from any dehydration.
- In case you find that there’s no circulation of air or blood through the body of the victim, then the best option would be waiting for the medical team to perform their task. In this case, CPR or Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation may be required.
