An electric shock or electric shock is an extremely dangerous situation that can occur both at home and at work. What are the common causes of this phenomenon? What determines the strength and severity of the defeat? How can I get an electric shock and burn without touching the conductive elements? What is the emergency care for electrical injury, the algorithm of action, treatment - all this you can learn from the article.
What are we dealing with?
Electrical injury - a set of lesions that occur when in contact with sources of technical or natural electricity. It is worth noting that the sensation of current strength begins with a power of 1 mA. Also, burns and electric shocks are possible without touching the current-carrying units. This may occur due to leakage or breakdown with the appearance of an electric arc.
An integral component of electrical injury are burns. They are formed on the path of input and output current. They are:
- mixed (from temperature and electrical effects);
- combined;
- just burns from electric shock.
Almost always, electric trauma is a defeat of skin surfaces, mucous organs and bone tissue. This can lead to disruption of many body systems and even paralyze them forever. For example: first of all, the current affects the work of the heart, nervous system, peripheral. Therefore, with electrical injury, emergency care is required!
Electrical Injury Classification
Electrical injuries are divided into the following types:
- production;
- household;
- natural.
And by the nature of the impact, they can be instantaneous or chronic.
There are 4 levels of electric shock. They are determined by the negative effect on the body:
- The first degree is the appearance of cramps, improper muscle contraction. In this case, the victim retains consciousness.
- In the second category, loss of consciousness and severe cramping in the form of seizures are possible.
- The third level is a violation of the heart and body systems, clouding of the mind.
- The fourth level is clinical death.
All degrees of electric shock are dangerous, therefore, with an electrical injury, emergency care and a clinic should be provided in a matter of minutes.
Causes and damage factors
The main causes of these injuries:
- The main problem is the appearance of tension where it should not be. Basically, these are objects equipped with metal elements, or this is damage to the insulation of wires and cables.
- Touch with current-carrying parts.
- The appearance of an electric arc between elements that conduct electricity.
- Incorrect actions on the part of people, staff.
Factors that affect the severity of the lesion:
- power flow;
- the origin of electricity (constant or variable);
- current frequency;
- duration of current influence;
- the method of movement of electricity - it is dangerous if the current passes through important organs (heart, head, liver, etc.);
- individual characteristics of each organism;
- the risk of injury depends on the environment (for example: a moist environment is a good conductor).
The main sources of electric shock:
- Bare cables under the influence of electricity.
- Violation of the grounding circuit.
- An electric shock is possible even when a person is near a power line, especially in wet weather.
- A stroke of atmospheric electricity in the form of lightning.
Help with electrical injury
If a person is injured by an electric trauma, the emergency response algorithm is as follows:
- First stop the current. Important! If this is a wire, it must be moved with a rubber or dry wood product.
- Next, you need to drag the victim to a safe distance using dried improvised items. It is important to know: the victim is a guide, so you should protect yourself by wearing rubber galoshes or slippers.
- A person needs to be laid on a flat surface and unfastened clothing, thereby providing oxygen access to the body.
- In case of loss of consciousness, you can use ammonia: wetting the cotton wool and moving under the nose.
Then you need to call an ambulance. In the meantime, you should drink the victim strong tea, you can give sedative drops.
When providing emergency care for electrical injury, it is possible to use:
- analgesics;
- medicines to increase blood pressure;
- substances that prevent cramps;
- medicines to stop arrhythmia;
- if the patient does not have a pulse, then, of course, you need a heart massage or artificial respiration.
Electrical injury in children
The curiosity of the kids, the negligence and inattention of parents, the errors of electrical services with the connection of electricity - all this leads to electric shock to children. Most often, a child gets hit at home, that is, household electricity with a power of 110 to 220 V. Such damage often leads to disruption of the heart, brain, and kidneys. Emergency care for children with electrical injuries should be instant!
An interesting fact: children are more likely to be exposed to electricity, as their body contains more liquid in percentage terms than in adults. This is a physiological feature that few people know about.
Effects:
- loss of consciousness;
- burns that occur when exposed to high temperatures;
- even with minimal contact with electricity, malfunctions of the heart muscle are noticeable;
- the human nervous system begins to work in the wrong direction;
- exacerbation of chronic ailments occurs;
- possible internal hemorrhage.
Be careful with the current!
To prevent the possibility of electric shock:
- Monitor the wiring process (whether it is a residential building or an office building, the cable must be grounded).
- Make sure that the sockets have grounding contacts.
- Do not bend the cords of extension cords and devices, but twist them correctly without disturbing the construction of the wire.
- If the premises are wet, then sockets with a high degree of protection should be supplied there.
- It is better not to touch the faulty appliance.
- It is best to install special protection on the inputs.
An electric shock is an electric shock that causes burns to tissues and the violation of their structures. Such lesions affect the functioning of the body as a whole, but above all, the work of the heart muscle.
Remember!
In case of electric shock, a person must be taken to a hospital. It must be remembered that even with minor injury, the condition of the victim may worsen at any moment. A light electric shock has a generally positive outlook. But severe damage leaves marks (in the form of burns) and a lot of negative prints on health. Lethal outcome is also possible. Emergency care for severe electrical injury should be provided as soon as possible.
It’s not worth joking with tension. You need to immediately think through everything (the location and grounding of electrical appliances, sockets) in order to protect yourself and your family!