If you try to help a victim of electrocution, it's essential to check they're not still 'live'.

What is it?

An electrical current passing through the body can stop breathing and disrupt the heart's activity. The casualty's body may still be 'live' when help arrives.

Symptoms

The casualty's body may still be in spasm and unable to release whatever caused the electrocution. There may be burns to the body where the current has entered and exited. The casualty may be unconscious.

First aid aims

• Ensure casualty can be rescued without danger to anyone else
• Disconnect casualty from electricity source
• Treat any further problems, such as burns

Actions

• Don't touch casualty because they may be 'live'
• Disconnect casualty from power source, either at the mains or by pushing away whatever is conducting the current using an insulating material, for instance a wooden stick
• Check casualty's response
• Open airway
• Prepare for resuscitation
• Go to the nearest hospital.

Further action

Prepare to treat any burns sustained by casualty.