Method of artificial respiration in case of electric shock

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Tong Van Hoan - Emergency Medicine Doctor - Emergency Department - Vinmec Danang International Hospital. Doctor with 10 years of experience in the field of Emergency Resuscitation.

Electric shock occurs when a person is exposed to an electrical energy source. This condition causes physical responses to the movement of electrical currents in the body. These reactions range from mild reactions to severe shocks that can affect tissues in the body, most importantly local damage, skin burns or cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac arrest and death. .
The degree of danger of electric shock depends on the level of the voltage, which part of the body is affected and the type of current.

Some subjects are more at risk of electric shock than the general population. The majority are children, adolescents and adults who are exposed to a lot of electric current due to work.
Low voltage usually does not cause serious injury to people. On the other hand, high voltage (more than 500 volts) can cause serious tissue damage.
However, for children, significant injuries are still possible from exposure to low voltages of about 110 to 220 volts, which are found in common household electrical currents. Even children can be electrocuted right away by household appliances, extension cords and power cords.

There are two basic steps to save someone from electric shock: Separate the victim from the electrical circuit; rescue the victim on the spot.
3.1 Separating the victim from the electrical circuit 3.1.1 In case the circuit can be cut Cut off the power by the nearest closing and cutting devices such as: electrical switches, fuses, or unplugging, circuit breakers,...
3.1.2 In case the circuit cannot be cut off If the voltage is low, the rescuers: Stand on a table, chair, dry wooden board, wear sandals or rubber boots, wear rubber gloves to pull the victim; Use insulated pliers, hammers, wooden axes to cut electrical wires; If the above means are not available, a wooden stick or dry bamboo can be used to push the power cord and push the victim to separate. Absolutely do not touch the victim directly because that way the rescuer will also be electrocuted. If the circuit is high voltage, the best way is to quickly call the grid management unit or call 19001006 to cut off the power in time. 3.2 Rescue the victim after being separated from the electrical circuit Immediately after the victim is separated from the circuit and brought to a safe location, the rescuer must give first aid based on the victim's condition:
3.2.1 with the victim unconscious, no signs of breathing, no pulse. Perform artificial respiration and chest compressions on the spot.
3.2.2 Method of resuscitation combined with chest compressions Place the victim lying on his back, widen the clothes and belt, remove it from the victim's mouth, place the victim's head slightly back. The rescuer stands (or kneels) next to the victim, crosses his hands on the lower third of the sternum, in the middle of the victim's chest, and then uses his whole body strength to press quickly and strongly, causing the victim's chest to be compressed. 3÷5) cm. After about 1/3 of a second, let go of the hand to let the victim's chest return to normal. Do so, about 80-100 times/minute. Combine the right heart compression to breathe, give asphyxiation. Use a gauze pad to place on the victim's mouth, the rescuer sits next to the head, covers the victim's nose with one hand, holds the victim's mouth open with one hand (if the tongue is pulled back, pull it out), inhale strongly to remove the mouth. Get a lot of air into the lungs and then close to the victim's mouth and then blow hard to inflate the chest (or cover the mouth to blow into the nose). If there is only one person to save, then every 15 times the heart compression turns to respirator, give 2 breaths. If there are 2 people, one person will do heart compression, the other person will breathe and give asphyxiation. For every 5 chest compressions, give asphyxiation 1 time. It is important to combine the two movements rhythmically together, or else one will counter the other. Absolutely do not give first aid by letting the victim lie under water or covering wet soil on the victim's body, do not pour any medicine or water into the victim's mouth. If the casualty begins to react and shows signs of spontaneous breathing, transfer the casualty to the recovery position. This allows the patient's head to tilt to one side and allows vomit or liquid to safely exit the mouth, reducing the risk of aspiration into the lungs.

In summary, electric shock is a common injury in daily life or work, which can cause death. Immediate first aid steps for someone receiving an electric shock are critical to preventing serious injury as well as mortality. At the same time, mastering the process of artificial respiration when receiving an electric shock and effectively implementing it will help minimize brain damage as well as disability sequelae.
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