What is it about ?
An electric current which comes into contact with the body and travels through it (= electrocution) causes bodily harm. This damage is called electrical injury. The severity of injuries depend on the intensity, duration and path of the electric current in the body.
How to recognize them?
The consequences of electric shocks can be very varied. Depending on the intensity of the current and the organs affected, the shock may not be very severe, but it can also be life-threatening. Here are the most common consequences:
- burns,
- swelling and breakdown of muscle tissue (releasing substances that can damage the kidneys),
- heart attack, heart rhythm disorder or cardiac arrest,
- narrowing of blood vessels with poor blood flow or tears with bleeding,
- coma and poor blood circulation in the brain,
- tears of the eardrum,
- tears or burns with damage to internal organs,
- fractures (due to the extremely intense contraction of the muscles),
- damage to the nerve pathways with symptoms such as, for example, dizziness, tingling,
- poor functioning of the kidneys (among other things due to the release of substances from the muscles),
- cataract (which can occur up to 3 years after exposure to electricity).
What can you do ?
Do not touch the victim if he is still in contact with the electrical source. If possible, turn off all power, then remove the victim from the power source.
If this is not possible, move the person away from the electrical source or move the electrical source away from the victim:
- using a dry, non-electrically conductive object (cardboard, plastic or wood);
- by isolating yourself from the ground (for this, stand on a non-conductive object made of wood or cardboard).
If the victim is unconscious and is not breathing, call 112 and initiate resuscitation by performing cardiac massage, so that enough oxygen circulates in his body. Continue resuscitation until emergency services arrive or the victim starts breathing spontaneously. In this case, stay with the victim until emergency services are on site. See a doctor if the victim is conscious and showing symptoms. Leave the clothes as they are in the event of burns.
What can your doctor do?
The doctor will assess the consequences of the electric shock on the basis of a physical examination and other tests (laboratory test, EKG, imaging, etc.). Sometimes the victim is kept under observation for 12 to 24 hours. In this way, lesions that were not immediately evident on the initial examination can still be detected in time (for example, late bleeding in an organ). The function of the heart is monitored through a heart monitor. Usually an infusion is placed to give enough fluid. This allows the kidneys to process the released waste safely. In the presence of a significant abnormality, it may be necessary to hospitalize the person for a longer period.
Want to know more?
Having to save a life, it can happen to anyone – Play and test your knowledge – Belgian Red Cross
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