What Happens During an Electrical Shock? Key Facts for Students
When a person comes into direct contact with an electrical energy source, he or she receives an electric shock. When electrical energy flows through a portion of the body, it causes a shock. Exposure to electrical energy can range from no harm at all or severe damage or death.
Effect of Electric Shock on Human Body
Here are a Few Signs of an Electric Shock.
An electric shock victim may have very little external evidence of injury or may have obvious severe burns. The individual may even be in cardiac arrest.
The points of contact with the electrical source and the ground are usually the most severely burned.
Common points of contact include the hands, heels, and head. Some other injuries which are possible if the person comes in direct contact with the electrical source is a strong muscular contraction.
The possibility of a spine injury should be considered. Internal injuries are possible, especially if the person is experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, or abdominal pain.
Minor Electric Shock
When a person comes into direct contact with an electrical energy source, he or she receives an electric shock. A shock happens when electrical energy flows through some portion of the human body. Exposure to electrical energy can either cause no harm at all or it can lead to severe damage or even death. The most common injury caused by an electric shock is burns.
Electric Current in Human Body
It is believed that currents less than 5mA are not dangerous. The current range of 10 to 20 MA is dangerous because the patient loses muscular control. The resistance of the human body measured between two hands or two legs ranges from 500mA to 50k.
Injuries from Electric Shocks
Electric shock causes four major types of injuries: electrocution (fatal), electric shock, burns, and falls. A few examples where these injuries can occur are:
Direct contact with energised conductors or circuit components that are exposed. When there is a flow of electrical current through our bodies, it can disrupt normal electrical signals of our body between the brain and our muscles (e.g., the heart can stop beating properly, breathing can stop).
When electricity arcs (jumps or "arcs") from an exposed energised conductor or circuit part (e.g., overhead power lines) through a gas (such as air) to a grounded person (which provides an alternate route to the ground).
Thermal burns include burns caused by an electric arc's heat, as well as flame burns caused by materials that catch fire as a result of heating or ignition by electrical currents or an electric arc flash. Contact burns from being shocked can burn internal tissues while leaving only minor injuries on the skin's surface.
Thermal burns caused by the heat emitted by an electric arc flash. The ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) light emitted by the arc flash can also cause eye damage.
A potential pressure wave released by an arc flash can be included in an arc blast. This wave has the potential to cause physical harm, collapse your lungs, or generate noise that can harm your hearing.
A person can fall from a ladder, scaffold, or aerial bucket due to muscle contractions or a startle reaction. The fall has the potential to cause serious injuries.
Muscle Pain After Electric Shock
Electricity stimulates muscles. The effect is determined by the current's intensity and the type of muscle it passes through.
We've all experienced a buzzing or tingling sensation that isn't painful. This is the result of a current as low as 0.25 milliamperes (mA) passing through the body.
When a current greater than 10 mA passes through flexor muscles, such as those in our forearms that close our fingers, it causes a sustained contraction. The victim may be unable to let go of the current source, extending the duration of contact and increasing the severity of the shock.
A current greater than 10 mA passing through extensor muscles causes a violent spasm. If the hip extensor muscles, that extend the limbs away from the body, are injured, the victim may even be propelled, often several metres away!
As a result of the sudden contraction caused by an electric shock, muscles, ligaments, and tendons may tear. If the shock is prolonged or the current is high, tissue can be burned.
Electric Shock Treatment
Treatment is determined by the severity of the burns and the nature of any other injuries discovered.
Burns are treated based on their severity.
Topical antibiotic ointment and dressings can be used to treat minor burns.
More severe burns may necessitate surgical wound cleaning or even skin grafting.
Severe burns to the arms, legs, or hands may necessitate surgery to remove damaged muscle or, in extreme cases, amputation.
Other injuries may necessitate medical attention.
An ophthalmologist, or eye specialist, may be required to examine and treat eye injuries.
Splinting, casting, or surgery are all options for stabilising broken bones.
Injuries to the internal organs may necessitate observation or surgery.
First Aid in Electric Shock
If possible, turn off the power source. If this is not possible, move the electric source away from you and the person using a dry, nonconducting object made of cardboard, plastic, or wood.
If the person shows no signs of circulation, such as breathing, coughing, or movement, begin CPR.
Make every effort to keep the injured person warm.
Wrap the wound with a bandage.
Cover any burned areas with a sterile gauze bandage or a clean cloth, if available. A blanket or towel should not be used because the loose fibres can stick to the burns.
FAQs on Electrical Shock Explained: Definition, Effects & Treatment
1. What exactly is an electric shock and how does it affect the human body?
An electric shock is a physiological reaction caused by an electric current passing through the body. When a person comes into contact with an electrical energy source, the current can flow through their tissues, disrupting normal bodily functions. The primary effects include involuntary muscle contractions, interference with the nervous system's signals, and potentially severe burns at the entry and exit points of the current.
2. What are the crucial first-aid steps to take if someone receives an electric shock?
The immediate priority is to ensure safety before providing aid. Follow these critical steps:
- Do not touch the person if they are still in contact with the electrical source.
- Turn off the main power source if possible. If not, use a dry, non-conductive object like a wooden broom handle or a plastic rod to move the source away from the person.
- Once the person is clear of the source, check for responsiveness, breathing, and pulse.
- If the person is not breathing or has no pulse, call for emergency medical help immediately and begin CPR if you are trained.
- Treat any visible burns with cool water and cover them with a sterile bandage.
3. What should I do if I experience a minor electric shock, for example, from an appliance at home?
Even a minor shock should be taken seriously. Immediately let go of the electrical source and move away. Check yourself for any small burns on your skin. You might experience a tingling sensation, numbness, or muscle soreness for a short while. It is always recommended to see a doctor even after a minor shock, as some internal effects may not be immediately obvious.
4. From a biological perspective, how does electricity disrupt the normal functioning of the heart and nervous system?
The human body uses its own low-level electrical signals, known as action potentials, for nerve communication and muscle contraction. An external electric current can overwhelm and disrupt these delicate signals. In the nervous system, this can cause pain and uncontrolled muscle spasms. The biggest danger is to the heart, where the shock can interfere with its natural pacemaker, leading to an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or a life-threatening condition called ventricular fibrillation, where the heart quivers uselessly instead of pumping blood.
5. How does the type of current (AC vs. DC) change the severity and effect of an electric shock?
Both Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) are dangerous, but they affect the body differently. Alternating Current (AC), found in household outlets, is often considered more dangerous because it causes muscles to contract and lock up (tetany). This can make a person unable to let go of the live source, increasing the duration of the shock. Direct Current (DC) typically causes a single, powerful muscle convulsion that can throw the person away from the source, which may limit exposure but can cause injury from the fall.
6. Why can a seemingly low-voltage shock sometimes be more dangerous than a high-voltage one?
The danger of an electric shock is determined more by the amperage (current) that flows through the body than the voltage alone. Several factors are critical:
- Path of the current: A low-voltage shock that passes through the chest and across the heart is far more dangerous than a high-voltage shock that passes only through a hand or foot.
- Skin Resistance: Wet or broken skin has much lower resistance, allowing a dangerous amount of current to flow even at low voltages.
- Duration of contact: A longer exposure to any current increases the risk of severe injury.
7. What are some common examples of electrical hazards at home or school?
Common electrical hazards include frayed or damaged electrical cords, overloaded power outlets, using electrical appliances with wet hands or near water, and inserting objects other than plugs into electrical sockets. It's important to prevent these by regularly checking cords, not overloading circuits, and keeping all electronics away from water sources like sinks or bathtubs.
8. Are there any long-term health effects a person might experience after surviving a severe electric shock?
Yes, surviving a severe electric shock can unfortunately lead to long-term health complications. The damage is not always limited to the initial burns and shock. Potential long-term effects can include chronic pain, neurological issues like memory problems or personality changes, muscle weakness, and psychological trauma such as anxiety or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
