How to help a person who has been injured? What important rules should be known?
The questions are answered by Gabija Sakavičiūtė, an emergency medicine doctor at the Emergency Department of LSMUL Kaunas Clinics.
Read more IMO: 68 incidents occurred in the Hormuz Strait per month, 20 people died
– If someone is electrocuted – how to help yourself? What to do if we see that another person has been electrocuted?
– If you manage to do so – move away from the electrical source as quickly as possible. If you notice a burn, cool it under a stream of cool water. If you feel any symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
When another person is being electrocuted, if possible, it is important to turn off the electrical source as soon as possible. If it is not possible to turn it off and the source is low voltage – the person must be separated from the current using an electrical insulator (rubber or wood). If the source is high voltage – do not touch even with an insulator, as doing so can cause fatal injury. The only exception is if the tool is designed for high voltage according to specifications and is used professionally.
If it is safe to touch the injured victim, assess whether they are conscious and breathing, or breathing abnormally (suspected clinical death) and immediately call 112, summon emergency medical services (EMS), start performing chest compressions and wait for further instructions and help.
– If we touch a person being electrocuted, can we also get shocked?
– Definitely yes, if we touch directly without any insulator, because the person themselves is a good conductor. I remind you that if the source is high voltage (>600 V), do not touch the victim even with rubber or wood.
– How to perform resuscitation correctly? People often fear helping the injured, worried they might cause more harm. What do you think about this?
– The main rule: if you are unsure whether to start resuscitation, it is always better to start. By starting chest compressions, you can save a life. It is also very important, after assessing that the patient is unconscious and breathing abnormally or not at all, before taking further actions (resuscitation), to call EMS and, if we know that an automatic (external) defibrillator is nearby, ask bystanders to bring it to the scene as quickly as possible. Early defibrillation is often the key to success.
The main emphasis is to start resuscitation immediately when needed. The sequence is as follows: if it is safe to touch, assess if the person is conscious (gently shake the shoulders and loudly ask: “What happened?”), if there is no response, assess that they are unconscious.
Next, assess if the person is breathing and if breathing is normal (do not take more than 10 seconds). Anything that does not look like normal breathing is considered a sign of clinical death. Then immediately call EMS, ask bystanders to bring a defibrillator if possible, and start chest compressions without delay.
– How can a person be injured by electric shock? And what can help prevent such an accident – what advice would you give to protect yourself?
– The main recommendation that a person needs to know is that if after the injury there are any complaints, it is important to seek medical help immediately.
Depending on the duration and intensity of the exposure, electrical injury can cause superficial or deep burns, arrhythmias, cardiac and respiratory arrest, and can damage various internal organs. The best prevention is to be well informed and follow several principles.
When it comes to electricity, it is important not to improvise and to leave all electrical work to professionals, never dealing simultaneously with two things – electricity and water.
Interview with doctor Gabija Sakavičiūtė first published on the 15min portal in 2022.
Read more “Bitė” and “Telia” announced how many customers still do not have connection
