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First AID for Electric Shock

We do not know when we will come across an electrical accident to somebody, may be at home or office or industry. It is always better and necessary to know how to give first aid to such victims before arranging to send the victim to the doctor.

  • Removal of Victim from supply: The victim if found fallen on the ground or in sitting position in an unconscious state always suspect that the victim is still in contact with the electric supply. In an anxious state never touch the victim. In the event of such a mistake you will fall into the trap.
  • Ascertain whether the victim is still in contact .If so, you should stand on a dry wooden plank and remove the victim, otherwise, pull the victim using a dry rope or coconut matting or stick. If possible stand on a rubber mat.
  • Checking the victim: Check whether the victim is still breathing. Send a message to bring the doctor. If apparently the victim is not breathing, give FIRST AID till the doctor arrives to give further treatment.

Method-I

  • Keep the victim with the face downwards. Kneel over the victim’s back placing both the hands on the patient’s back near the lowest rib such that the fingers are spread outwards while the thumbs of both hands almost touch each other and are parallel to the spine.
  • Rock yourself gently forward, keeping your arms straight pressing slowly for about 2 seconds. Now slowly release the pressure and come to the kneeling position. Repeat the process at the rate of about 15 times a minute. The purpose is to expand and contract the victim’s lungs and cause breathing. Continue this operation till the natural breathing is re-established. It may take a long time, 30 minutes or even one hour to get the expected result. If the victim starts breathing, it is better to synchronise your actions until the victim breathes strongly. In some cases it so happens that the victim after a temporary recovery of respiration, again stops breathing. It is, therefore, very much necessary to check the breathing of the victim continuously, and if natural breathing stops, artificial respiration should be given as explained above.
  • Caution: It is important that an unconscious victim should never be given any drink.

Method-II

  • Alternatively, if it is advantageous to place the victim on his back, do so, and loosen his clothes around the chest and stomach. Place a pillow under his shoulders. The aim is to make his head fall backwards. Draw his tongue forward and proceed as follows.
  • You should kneel in a position. Hold the victim just below his elbows and draw his arms over his head until they are horizontal to the ground. Keep them there for about 2 seconds.
  • Bring the patient’s arms down on each side of his chest, pressing inwards up so as to compress his chest. Keep the arms in this position atleast for 2 seconds.
  • Repeat the above two positions at the same rate. It is always better if we draw out the patient’s tongue during each lung inflating (inhaled position) stroke and release it during each lung deflating stroke (exhaled position).
  • Caution: It is important that an unconscious victim should never be given any drink.

Method-III

This is a very good method and is becoming very popular. The procedure is as follows :

  • Place the patient so as to lie on his back. If there is some foreign matter like tobacco, chocolate etc. in the mouth, remove it; this will make the air passage clear.
  • Step 1: Open the airway of the patient by lifting his neck with one hand while your other hand tilts his head back and down as far as possible such that the chin points. upwards.
  • Step 2: Pinch the nostrils (nose) to prevent air leakage. Maintain the open airway by keeping the neck elevated.
  • Step 3: Seal your mouth tightly around the victim’s mouth and blow the air in. The patient’s chest should rise.
  • Step 4: Remove your mouth. Release the patient’s nostrils. Listen for air escaping from the patient’s lungs. Watch for the patient’s chest to fall (deflate).
  • Steps 2,3 and 4 make one breathing in-breathing out cycle. Repeat this cycle by following steps 2,3 and 4 at 12 to 15 times a minute. Continue until medical help arrives or breathing in the victim is restored. For young ones (infants) cover the entire mouth and nose with your mouth. Use small puffs of air about 20 times per minute.
Back To Previous Page | Page last updated date: 08-12-2020
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