Electrical Accident: First Aid

Short: In an electrical accident, your own safety is the first and most important step before helping an injured person. Electricity can cause internal injuries that are often not visible externally, which is why even seemingly mildly affected people should be medically examined.

In more detail: The higher the voltage and current, the more severe tissue damage usually is, even if external burns appear small.

Note: Not a substitute for medical advice.

In detail

• Self-protection first: Before giving any help, the power source must be switched off, for example by unplugging it or activating the circuit breaker.
• Distance from high voltage: With high-voltage line accidents, a safety distance of several meters must absolutely be maintained, since arcs can jump.
• Consciousness check: After securing the scene, check whether the person is responsive and breathing normally.
• Resuscitation for cardiac arrest: Electrical accidents can trigger heart rhythm disturbances, so if breathing is absent, chest compressions should begin immediately.
• Cooling burns: Visible burn sites should be carefully cooled with lukewarm water, without directly touching the wound.
• Emergency call for any electrical accident: Even with seemingly minor injuries, emergency services should always be notified, since internal damage often only becomes apparent later.
• Don’t underestimate low voltage: Even standard household 230-volt accidents can cause dangerous heart rhythm disturbances, especially with direct contact to the heart area (rauchgas-und-co-vergiftung, wiederbelebung-und-defibrillator-grundlagen).