Electrical burns
Electrical burns can be caused by lightning or from a man made source involving either, a high-voltage supply e.g. overhead power lines, or from a low-voltage supply as found in the home, or at work.
In all cases, an electrical injury can be life-threatening.
You may have multiple injuries to treat, including cessation of breathing, and a wound that enters the body as well as one that exits the body.
Your first priority is to ensure that it is safe to offer your casualty treatment.
In respect of a high-voltage injury, it is imperative that you and all bystanders stay well away from your casualty. Because the supply can ‘arc’, you must stay at least 18 metres away from the supply source.
Examples of Electrical burns
You must call the emergency services immediately, detailing the extent of the incident.
In some cases of low-voltage injuries, the casualty may still have a contact with the supply, and therefore be ‘live’. You must break the source of supply immediately before attempting any form of treatment. Switch the supply off from the main fuse-board. Failing that, remove the electrical device from the casualty. You can achieve this by standing on a dry insulating material such as a book or telephone directory. Use a wooden or plastic handle to drag away the source from the casualty ensuring that the area is safe for all.
As soon as you have deemed it safe to do so, you may start your treatment.