Electrical injuries range from mild shocks to life-threatening burns and cardiac arrhythmias. Damage depends on voltage, current type, path through the body, and contact duration. Even when skin appears unscathed, internal injuries (arrhythmias, organ damage) can occur any electrical contact warrants prompt evaluation.
Types of Electrical Injuries:
Electrical injuries can manifest in different ways depending on the circumstances of the incident, including:
- Electric shocks: Occur when a person comes into direct contact with an electrical source, resulting in the passage of electrical current through the body.
- Burns: Electrical energy can cause thermal burns at the site of contact or at the entry and exit points of the current.
- Arc flash/blast injuries: Arc flashes or blasts can occur in high-voltage electrical systems and result in burns, blunt trauma, and even blast injuries due to the intense release of energy.
- Internal injuries: Electrical current passing through the body can cause internal injuries, including damage to nerves, muscles, organs, and blood vessels.
Signs & Symptoms
- Burns at entry and exit sites—often deep, possibly requiring surgery
- Muscle spasms or pain, fractures/dislocations from involuntary contractions
- Cardiac signs: palpitations, irregular heartbeat, weak pulse, collapse, or cardiac arrest
- Neurological effects: confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness
When to Call Emergency Services
Call 911 (or local emergency number) immediately if the injured person has:
- Severe burns, especially deep or charred
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Confusion, seizures, or unresponsiveness
- Heart rhythm problems or cardiac arrest
First Aid Steps
- Ensure Scene Safety Turn off the electrical source. If you can’t, use a dry, nonconductive object (wood, plastic) to separate the person from the current.
- Assess Responsiveness Check for breathing and pulse. If unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR immediately.
- Treat Burns Cool burn sites under running water for 10–20 minutes. Cover with a sterile, non-adhesive dressing or clean cloth—avoid blankets or towels that shed fibers into the wound.
- Monitor & Support Continually observe airway, breathing, circulation, and level of consciousness. Be prepared to resume CPR if cardiac arrest occurs, as arrhythmias can be delayed.
- Prevent Hypothermia Cover the casualty with a light blanket after cooling burns to maintain body temperature.
- Seek Professional Evaluation Even if the patient appears stable, internal injuries or arrhythmias may manifest later—advise medical assessment for all electrical contacts.
Do’s and Don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Ensure the power source is off or use a nonconductive tool to break contact | Touch the injured person while they remain in contact with electricity |
| Begin CPR immediately if there are no signs of circulation | Move high-voltage lines or objects without proper training/equipment |
| Cool burn wounds under running water and cover with a sterile, non-adhesive dressing | Apply ice, butter, or greasy substances to burns |
| Monitor vital signs, level of consciousness, and watch for delayed arrhythmias | Delay seeking medical help—even “minor” shocks can have serious complications |
| Keep the person warm after cooling to prevent hypothermia | Allow the person to walk or move if fractures or spinal injury are suspected |
Prevention in Home
- Plug socket extensions and adaptors: check the current rating on the lead and make sure you never overload an extension lead beyond this; never plug an extension lead into another extension lead.
- Electrical appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, should not be left on when leaving the property.
- Appliances that have ventilation, such as microwaves, should be left clear with nothing stored on top.
- Mains-powered portable appliances, such as hairdryers or radios, should never be taken into the bathroom.
- When using outdoor electrical equipment, make sure you use a Residual Current Device, never use equipment in wet conditions and always store equipment in a dry, safe place.
- You should regularly perform a visual check on electrical items in your house:
- Make sure cables and leads are in good condition and don’t run under rugs or carpets
- Make sure that plugs and plug sockets are not damaged or overloaded
- Make sure electrical items are switched off when not in use
- Make sure your fuse box, electricity meter or electrical intake do not have combustible materials stored around them.
REFERENCES
- First aid for electric shock. American Institute for Preventive Medicine. https://healthy.net/2000/12/06/first-aid-for-electric-shockemergency-conditions/?cn-reloaded=1.
- Emergencies A-Z: Electrical injury-shock. American College of Emergency Physicians. https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/electrical-shock.
- Zemaitis MR, Foris LA, Lopez RA, et al. Electrical Injuries. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448087/). [2023 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan.
- Bounds EJ, Khan M, Kok SJ. Electrical Burns. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519514/). [Updated 2023 Apr 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan.
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