Why does electric shock cause death?

Why does electric shock cause death?

As the great majority of electrical fatalities are due to currents passing between an arm (usually the right) and the legs, the current passes through the chest and affects the organs within it. It is generally believed that ventricular fibrillation is the most common cause of death in electric shock.

What should you do after a severe electric shock?

The 911 emergency personnel may instruct you on the following:

  1. Separate the Person From Current’s Source. To turn off power:
  2. Do CPR, if Necessary. When you can safely touch the person, do CPR if the person is not breathing or does not have a pulse.
  3. Check for Other Injuries.
  4. Wait for 911 to Arrive.
  5. Follow Up.

When should you seek medical attention after shock?

Following a low-voltage shock, go to the emergency department for the following concerns: Any noticeable burn to the skin. Any period of unconsciousness. Any numbness, tingling, paralysis, vision, hearing, or speech problems.

What are the long-term effects of electric shock?

Even without visible burns, electric shock survivors may face long-term muscular pain and discomfort, fatigue, headache, problems with peripheral nerve conduction and sensation, inadequate balance and coordination, and other additional symptoms.

What happens to body during electric shock?

A shock can affect the nervous system Nerves are tissue that offers very little resistance to the passage of an electric current. When nerves are affected by an electric shock, the consequences include pain, tingling, numbness, weakness or difficulty moving a limb. These effects may clear up with time or be permanent.

What are two ways an electric shock can harm the body?

An electric shock for a lower voltage can result in superficial burns on the surface of the skin. But, electric shocks of voltage between 500 to 1000 volts can give rise to internal burns. It can lead to organ burns that can also affect the heart. This makes the burns; caused from electric shock different from chemical burns and fire burns.

What are electrical shock hazards?

Electrical hazard or Electric Shock may be defined as “Dangerous event or condition due to direct or indirect electrical contact with energized conductor or equipment and from which a person may sustain electrical injury from shock, damage to workplace environment, damage to property or both.

What are the side effects of electric shock?

Some of the more serious and possibly fatal side effects of electrical shock are: Severe burns at point of contact and along the electricity’s course through the body. Vision loss. Hearing loss. Brain damage. Respiratory arrest or failure.

Why is severe electric shock dangerous?

Dangers of Electric Shock The severity of injury from electrical shock depends on the amount of electrical current and the length of time the current passes through the body. A severe shock can cause much more damage to the body than is visible.