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Electrical Burns: First Aid
By Matt Unangst, 12 Feb 00:13
Unlike heat burns, electrical burns might not show up on your skin at all. Even if one does, it might not reflect the extent of the damage caused by the burn. An electrical burn can damage tissues deep within your body. This damage can be as serious as cardiac arrest. You can also be thrown by the shock of the burn, which may result in you suffering broken bones or other related injuries.
Call 911 if the person who has suffered the burn is in pain, is confused, is having trouble breathing, is unconscious, or is experiencing variations in heartbeat.
Be careful around someone who has just suffered an electrical burn. He/she may still be touching whatever caused the burn. Touching the person could result in you also being burned.
Turn off whatever has caused the electrical burn, if you can. If you cannot, move the source away from the person (or the person away from the source, whichever is easier) using a nonconductive object – something made of cardboard, plastic, or wood.
Once away from the source of the burn, check the person for signs of circulation, i.e. breathing, coughing, or movement. If the person shows no signs of breathing, perform CPR.
Prevent shock from occurring by laying the person down with his/her head lower than the torso and the legs elevated.
Cover the burned area with a sterile gauze bandage or clean cloth. Do not use a blanket or towel to cover the burn, as any loose fibers could stick to the burn, causing irritation.
Tags: electrical burn, burn, first aid