What first aid steps should be taken for an electric shock?

• A. Move the person to safety and check for breathing.
• B. Cut power, no contact with person; call for medical help; start CPR if needed; treat burns.
• C. Apply ice to the burn area.
• D. Ignore the person and seek help after welding.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that the first priority is to stop the electrical current and then provide emergency care. Start by cutting the power or taking the equipment offline so you’re not risking a shock yourself. Do not touch the person while the circuit may still be live; if you can’t safely reach the source, warn others and seek help while someone who can shut off the power does so, or use a nonconductive object to separate the person from the source if necessary. Once the current is off, assess breathing and responsiveness. If the person isn’t breathing or has no pulse, begin CPR immediately and call for medical help right away. For burns, protect the wound with a clean, dry dressing or sterile cloth. Do not apply ice, ointments, or break blisters, as electrical burns can cause deeper tissue damage that isn’t visible on the surface. Electrical burns also warrant medical evaluation because of potential internal injuries.