First Aid Instruction For Accidents Caused By Electric Currents

Preliminary Precautions:

Switch off the line, or have it done by the power company. Then only remove the victim from contact with the electric conductor. If the line is alive, and the victim is being removed in spite of this fact, the rescuer is exposed to danger.

In such a case, adopt any of the following procedures.

In the case of low-voltage installations:

1) Insulate yourself from the ground by several layers of dry boards, beams, or wooden boxes.

2) Remove the line from the victim by means of long, dry, wooden sticks, dry ladders, etc.

3) Pull or push the victim away from the line while standing on insulating boards, etc.; wrap several layers of dry clothing around your hands; do not touch the victim except by his clothing.

In case of high-voltage installations:

1) Only experts should be permitted to remove the victim.

2) If the victim is hanging on the wires, spread straw, hay or bedding underneath.

3) Notify the power company and call the doctor.

4) Post a guard at the side of the accident.

5) After the victim has been removed from contact with the power line, start first of all with immediate attempts to restore his breathing:

--a) Place the unconscious person on his back, head to one side, with a pillow under his shoulders.

--b) Open his collar, scarf, belt, and tight clothing, etc.

--c) Carefully open the mouth of the patient, place some hard object, preferably a piece of wood, between his teeth, remove any dentures.

--d) Slowly but with sufficient strength pull out his tongue, using a handkerchief; let somebody hold it or tie it to the chin of the victim.

--e) Try to get him to breath spontaneously, by tickling his nose and throat.

--f) If no immediate success is achieved, start at once with artificial breathing. Kneel down behind the head of the victim, grasp his arms under the elbows, press them firmly against his chest and then draw them slowly apart in a circle over his head. After two seconds, bring the arms back to their initial position. Repeat the exercise at the rate of 16 to 20 times a minute, if necessary, for several hours, until the arrival of a doctor. More rapid movements are harmful and needlessly tiring. Stop the artificial respiration as soon as the victim starts breathing; activate the blood circulation by sprinkling his head and chest with cold water and rubbing hard. If the victim recovers, cover him up and let him sip warm drinks from a teaspoon as soon as he is able to swallow.

6) Leave any further aid to the doctor.