Today we’re going to take a look at at a rare and awful occurrence called electrocution, and what we can do in the event that it happens to us or someone close by. Hopefully you’re never in a situation where you have to use this information, but we feel it’s our duty to share it with you as we deal with all things power.
First, you should know that electrocution is a related set of injuries caused by direct contact with live electrical connections. The effects can vary from minor burns to muscle contractions, paralysis, and cardiac arrest, which leads to death.
Electrocution is mostly caused by contact with poorly insulated wires or ungrounded electrical equipment, by using electrical equipment while in contact with water, or by being struck by lightning. The severity and effects of electric shock depends mostly on the amount of current passing through the body and the duration of contact. So what should you do if you or someone nearby is electrocuted?
- Call 911 (It may be obvious, but this should be the first step in any emergency)
- First, if possible, turn off the electrical current. Unplug the cord, remove the fuse from the fuse box, or turn off the circuit breakers. Simply turning off the connected appliance may NOT stop the flow of electricity.
- If the current cannot be turned off, use a non-conducting object, such as a wooden broom stick, rug, or rubber doormat to push the person away from the source of the current. Do not use a wet or metal object, and do not stand on conductive material or wet ground. If possible, stand on something dry that doesn’t conduct electricity, such as a rubber mat or folded newspapers.
- As soon as the person is away from the source of electricity, check their airway, breathing, and pulse. If either has stopped or seems dangerously slow or shallow, start first aid and/or CPR.
- If the person has a burn, remove any clothing that comes off easily, and rinse the burned area in cool running water until the pain subsides. Give first aid for burns.
- If the person is faint, pale, or shows other signs of shock, lay him or her down, with the head slightly lower than the trunk of the body and the legs elevated, and cover him or her with a warm blanket or a coat.
- Stay with the person until medical help arrives.
As you can see from above, the main takeaways are to act quickly and call for help, turn off power, keep from transferring the electricity to yourself, and apply first aid and or CPR. By utilizing this information, you are prepared to potentially save someone’s life, or even your own.
And speaking of safety, all of our power cords are tested and rated to the highest safety standard. Visit our website at www.quail.com or call us at 1-800-669-8090 and we’ll be ready to meet your power cord needs.