How can u get electrocuted

At the ED, the doctor will perform a thorough physical exam to assess potential external and internal damage. Potential tests include:. Not every person who experiences electric shock needs to visit the emergency department ED. Follow this advice:. Electric shocks can cause injuries that are not always visible. Depending on how high the voltage was, the injury may be fatal. However, if a person survives the initial electrocution, a person should seek medical attention to ensure that no injuries have occurred.

Electric shocks and the injuries they can cause range from minor to severe. Many electric shocks occur in the home, so check household appliances regularly for signs of damage. People working in environments during the installation of electrical systems should take particular care and always follow safety regulations. If a person has experienced a severe electric shock, administer first aid if it is safe to do so and call A coma is a deep state of unconsciousness.

It can result from an injury or illness. It can last for a few days, but sometimes the person does not wake…. A feeling of tingling in the feet or hands can have a variety of causes. Many are related to peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage, but others include….

Knowing the steps of CPR can help save a person's life. In this article, we look at CPR steps, including how to prepare, when to use it, and which….

First aid is a way of preparing an individual to respond to emergency situations quickly. Administering first aid techniques before medical assistance…. Here, learn to recognize a heart attack and what to do next. We also describe treatment and recovery and provide tips for prevention. What to know about an electric shock. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Our body conducts electricity so when you get an electric shock, electricity will flow through your body without any obstruction.

A minor shock may feel like a tingling sensation which would go away in some time. Or it may cause you to jump away from the source of the current. Please note - the information contained in this article is of a general nature only and not intended to replace expert medical advice. Seek professional medical help from your health provider or emergency department in all instances of electric shock.

An electric shock can also be severe and fatal, it may cause second or third-degree burns, damage muscles and internal tissues, and cause arrhythmia. It may also injure blood vessels, tissues, nerves and muscles, cause swelling in the throat and lungs, and may cause breathing problems.

Sometimes the victim may appear completely well but they need to be taken to the hospital for a check-up. Internal injuries may not be visible and be obvious, so it is advisable to go to the hospital or call for immediate assistance in all cases of electric shock.

You can experience a violent spasm as the muscles are stimulated by the electricity. In the case of a prolonged exposure to electric current, more than 10 mA, you may experience a sustained contraction. If a person is forced to get out of the vehicle because of a hazard such as fire, instruct them to keep their feet close together and to jump away, not walk. This can reduce the chance of an electric shock if wires are on the ground.

Only advise this action if the person is definitely unable to remain in the vehicle. A safety switch, or residual current device, is designed to save lives by monitoring power flow and making sure the flow is even. This is different to a circuit breaker, which is designed to protect household wiring from power surges. A safety switch is intended to trip out an electricity supply in the event of a current flow to earth.

It can provide protection from harmful electric shocks in situations where a person comes into contact with a live electrical circuit and provides a path to earth. Typical examples of this occurring are with the use of faulty electrical leads and faulty appliances.

These switches operate in one thirty-thousandth of a second. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. The type of pain felt in the abdomen can vary greatly. Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment. When returning to a flood-affected area, remember that wild animals, including rats, mice, snakes or spiders, may be trapped in your home, shed or garden. When returning to your home after a flood, take precautions to reduce the possibility of injury, illness or disease.

For unexpected after-hours medical issues, there are telephone helplines, pharmacies, after-hours medical clinics or doctors who can visit you at home. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.

All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

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