Electric Shock First Aid: Make the Scene Safe Before Touching
Electricity can continue harming the injured person and anyone who touches them. The first-aid sequence begins with the power source, not the patient. Skin burns may look small while the current has affected the heart, muscles, nerves or internal tissue.
Do not touch the person until the electrical source is safely disconnected. Call 911. Once the scene is safe, check responsiveness and normal breathing, begin CPR if needed and use an AED when available.
The first decisions
- Stop and identify the hazard. Look for a live wire, appliance, water, damaged equipment, fire or power line.
- Call 911. Report that electricity is involved and describe high voltage, fire or a fallen line.
- Disconnect power only when safely possible. Use the breaker, unplug a household device or follow the trained lockout procedure.
- Keep everyone back. Do not assume a fallen line or wet surface is safe.
- Approach only after the hazard is controlled. Then check responsiveness and breathing.
- Begin CPR and use an AED when indicated. Follow the dispatcher and current training.
High-voltage and power-line incidents
Do not approach a person near a fallen power line, substation, rail power source or energized industrial equipment. Electricity can travel through the ground or arc through the air. Wait for the utility or qualified personnel to confirm the source is de-energized.
Keep vehicles and bystanders away. If a line contacts a vehicle, occupants usually should remain inside and wait for emergency instructions unless fire creates an immediate threat. Do not touch the vehicle and ground at the same time.
Household-current incidents
Turn off the circuit at the breaker when you can reach it without crossing water or touching damaged equipment. Simply switching off an appliance may not isolate all electricity. Do not use a metal or wet object to separate the person from a source.
Once power is confirmed off, approach and assess. A person who is awake may still need emergency evaluation because heart rhythm, internal burns or injuries from a fall may not be obvious.
What to do after the scene is safe
| Person’s condition | Response |
|---|---|
| Unresponsive and not breathing normally | Begin CPR, use the AED and follow 911. |
| Responsive but confused, weak, in pain or breathing abnormally | Keep still, monitor and wait for EMS. |
| Visible burn | After the electrical hazard is controlled, cool with cool running water as directed; do not use ice or ointment. |
| Fall or suspected spine injury | Do not move unnecessarily unless another immediate danger remains. |
MedlinePlus explains that electrical current can cause cardiac arrest, internal tissue damage, burns and injuries from falls. Its electrical-injury overview advises calling 911 for an electrical injury.
CPR and AED use after electrical injury
When the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR on a firm surface. Send another person for the AED and continue compressions while it is being prepared. Expose and dry the chest as needed for pad attachment, and follow every device prompt.
Do not place AED pads over a medication patch or directly over an implanted-device bulge. Follow your training for safe pad placement. Make sure nobody is touching the person during rhythm analysis and shock delivery.
Visible burns do not show the whole injury
Electrical contact may leave small entry and exit burns while causing deeper damage. Do not use burn size to decide that the person is safe. Report chest discomfort, irregular sensations, muscle pain, numbness, weakness, confusion or any loss of consciousness.
After the power is off, remove only loose clothing or jewelry that does not stick to injured skin. Cool an ordinary thermal burn with cool running water, cover loosely and leave deeper evaluation to professionals. Do not apply ice, butter or ointment.
Additional injuries to look for
- Head or spine injury from a fall
- Broken bones or joint injury from muscle contraction
- Eye injury after an electrical arc
- Smoke inhalation or burns from fire
- Hearing or balance changes after an arc or blast
- Confusion, seizure activity or reduced responsiveness
Do not ask the person to stand or walk to test recovery. Keep monitoring until EMS arrives.
Workplace response
Only qualified workers should de-energize industrial equipment under the site’s procedures. Lockout and verification prevent unexpected re-energization. A rescuer without electrical training should stay outside the hazard zone and guide emergency services to the scene.
OSHA’s electric-power first-aid resource explains why electrical work requires rapid access to CPR-trained personnel. The emergency plan should identify trained coverage, AED location and rescue limitations before work begins.
Common rescue mistakes
- Grabbing the person before power is off
- Assuming rubber-soled shoes make a live scene safe
- Approaching a fallen line because it is not sparking
- Moving an injured person before checking for fall trauma
- Focusing on a small burn while ignoring breathing and responsiveness
- Delaying 911 to troubleshoot equipment
- Returning damaged equipment to service without inspection
Home electrical-safety audit
Replace damaged cords, use outlet protection around young children and keep appliances away from water. Follow manufacturer instructions and use qualified electrical professionals for repairs. Do not overload outlets or run damaged cords under rugs.
Know where the main breaker is and keep access clear. Post the home address where a babysitter or visitor can see it. Maintain the AED when one is present in a community space.
Electrical injuries involving children
Call 911 and disconnect power safely. Burns around the mouth after chewing a cord, any loss of responsiveness, breathing change or significant shock needs emergency evaluation. Do not put a product on the burn or give food or drink while awaiting instructions.
After the event, remove damaged cords and use appropriate outlet covers. Store chargers and small appliances out of reach rather than relying only on verbal warnings.
Electrical injury around water
Do not enter a pool, flooded room or wet floor when electrical equipment may be energized. Shut off power from a dry, safe location and wait for qualified responders. Water can extend the hazard beyond the device itself.
After power is confirmed off, follow the normal responsiveness, breathing, CPR and AED sequence. Tell 911 that water was involved and whether the person was submerged.
Lightning is an electrical emergency with a different scene
Move away from the continuing storm hazard when safe and call 911. A person struck by lightning does not retain an electrical charge and can be touched once the scene itself is safe. Check responsiveness and breathing and begin CPR when indicated.
Multiple people may be affected. Assign calls, AED retrieval and assessment without leaving a person in cardiac arrest untreated. Continue to follow the dispatcher.
A workplace electrical-rescue drill
Practice recognizing the boundary where unqualified rescuers stop. Rehearse emergency shutdown, 911 communication, access for utility or fire personnel and the transition to CPR only after de-energization is verified.
Include a scenario in which the obvious switch does not isolate all power. The drill should reinforce verification, not reward a fast but unsafe touch. Document who is authorized to operate disconnects.
Aftercare and reporting
Any electrical injury deserves professional evaluation. Record the source, approximate contact duration, voltage when known, wet conditions, loss of consciousness, fall and first aid. Preserve damaged equipment from further use without handling an energized component.
After a workplace incident, follow reporting and exposure procedures. After a home incident, arrange repair by a qualified professional before restoring service.
Questions after electric shock
What if the person feels fine?
Call 911 or seek emergency guidance after electrical injury. Internal and heart effects may not match the appearance of the skin.
Can I use a wooden broom to move the wire?
Do not approach high voltage or rely on an improvised object. Disconnect power through a safe control and wait for qualified personnel.
Should I cool the burn before CPR?
No. When the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, CPR and AED use take priority after the electrical hazard is controlled.
For related practice, read the CPR response sequence and general burn-temperature safety. To prepare for electrical injuries, burns and cardiac arrest, explore MyCPR NOW CPR + First Aid Certification.
