The first thing to do when someone is experiencing an electric shock is

• A. Call emergency services
• B. Administer CPR
• C. Apply pressure if the victim is bleeding
• D. Turn off the electric power causing the shock or attempt to separate the person from the current using a non-conductive material

Answer: (D)

The most important step is to stop the current at its source. You remove the danger by turning off the power or unplugging the equipment, or if that isn’t possible, you can use a dry, non-conductive object to separate the person from the live source. This prevents ongoing electrical flow and protects both the victim and you from becoming part of the circuit.

Once the power is off, assess the situation safely: call emergency services if needed, check for responsiveness, and begin CPR if the person isn’t breathing. Bleeding control is important if there is obvious bleeding, but the immediate hazard in electrical shock is the current itself, so de-energizing comes first, followed by other necessary first aid steps.