Electric shocks happen fast. A loose wire, a wet hand or a faulty plug is all it takes. In that moment, most people freeze. They do not know what to do first. An electric shock treatment chart solves this problem. It shows the right steps in the right order.
This guide explains electric shock first aid in simple words. Each step tells you what to do, why it matters and what mistakes to avoid. Read it once. Share it with your family and your team. It may help you save a life one day.
Step 1: Do Not Touch the Person
Stop. Do not run in.
This feels wrong. You want to help right now. But the person may still be touching live current. If you grab them, the current flows into your body too. Then you need help as well. Many rescuers get hurt this way. A second victim cannot help the first one.
Take two seconds to look around. Check for:
- Sparks or smoke
- Water on the floor
- Bare or broken wires
- A damaged machine or plug
Water and metal carry current very well. A wet floor can turn a small fault into a deadly one. Shout for help. Tell others to stay back. Then plan your next move.
Step 2: Switch Off the Power Source
Cut the power first. Every good electric shock first aid plan starts here. When the current stops, the danger stops. You can then touch the person safely.
Try these quick options:
- Turn off the main switch.
- Pull out the plug. Hold the plastic part, not the wire.
- Switch off the MCB or trip the circuit breaker.
Keep your hands dry. Stand on a dry spot. Do not touch a switch with wet hands. Even after you switch off the power, stay alert. Some machines hold stored charge for a short time. Do not touch the machine itself. Can’t reach the switch quickly? Don’t waste time. Move to the next step.
Step 3: Move the Source Away Safely
Can’t turn off the power? Then separate the person from the source. Do this only if it is safe.Use a dry item that does not carry current:
- A dry wooden stick or broom handle
- A plastic pipe
- A dry rope
- A rubber mat or dry folded newspaper
Push or pull the wire away. Never touch the person’s body with your bare hands. Never use a wet or metal object. Do not stand on a wet floor. Stand on dry wood, a rubber mat or a thick dry cloth. This keeps the current from passing through you.
Is it a high-voltage line, like an overhead cable or a fallen pole wire? Do not go near it. Current can jump through the air and the ground. Stay far away. Keep others away too. Call the electricity department and wait for them to cut the supply.
Step 4: Call for Emergency Help
Call 112 or 108 right away. Can’t call yourself? Ask someone nearby to do it. Say, “You, in the blue shirt, call 108 now.” A clear order works better than a general shout.
Tell the operator:
- Your exact location, with a nearby landmark
- What happened
- Whether the person is awake and breathing
- Whether the power is off
Keep the phone on speaker. The operator may guide you through each step. Call even if the person looks fine. A shock can hurt the body from the inside. You cannot see that damage.
Step 5: Check Responsiveness and Breathing
Now check how the person is doing. Do this only after the power is off and the scene is safe.
Tap the person’s shoulders. Ask loudly, “Are you okay?”
Then check:
- Are they awake and talking?
- Is their chest moving?
- Can you feel a pulse at the neck or wrist?
Look, listen, and feel for about 10 seconds. Don’t take longer. Every second counts.
If the person answers you, stay with them and go to Step 7. If they do not answer or do not breathe normally, go to Step 6.
Step 6: Start CPR if Needed
Is the person not breathing? Start CPR now. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, keeps blood moving to the brain and heart until help arrives.
An electric shock can stop the heart. Quick CPR gives the person a real chance.
- Lay the person on their back on a firm, flat surface.
- Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the chest. Put your other hand on top.
- Keep your arms straight. Push hard and fast, about 100 to 120 times a minute.
- Press down about 5 to 6 cm each time. Let the chest rise fully between pushes.
- Keep going until help arrives or the person starts to breathe.
Know how to give rescue breaths? Give 2 breaths after every 30 pushes. Not trained? Do hands-only CPR. It still helps.
If a public place has an AED (automated external defibrillator), send someone to get it. Turn it on and follow the voice prompts. It is safe to use.
Do not stop because you feel tired. Ask another person to take over.
Step 7: Treat Burns Gently
Electrical burns are common after a shock. Some look small on the skin but go deep inside the body. You will often see two burn spots. One is where the current entered. The other is where it left.
What you should do:
- Cool a small burn under clean, cool running water for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Remove rings, watches and tight clothes near the burn before it swells. Do not pull off anything stuck to the skin.
- Cover the burn with a clean, dry, non-stick dressing or a clean plastic wrap.
What you should avoid:
- Do not apply butter, oil, toothpaste, turmeric or ointment.
- Do not use ice. It can harm the skin more.
- Do not pop blisters.
- Do not use cotton wool or fluffy cloth. It sticks to the burn.
Every electrical burn needs a doctor’s check, even a small one.
Step 8: Position the Person and Treat for Shock
Is the person awake and breathing? Help them lie down in a comfortable place.
- Keep them calm. Speak slowly and gently.
- Cover them with a blanket to stop heat loss.
- Raise their legs slightly if you see no other injury.
- Loosen tight clothes around the neck and waist.
- Give no food or water. They may need medical care soon.
Is the person unconscious but breathing? Turn them gently onto their side. This is called the recovery position. It keeps the airway open. Do this only if you do not suspect a spine injury.
Stay with them. Keep talking until help arrives. Watch their breathing all the time. If it stops, start CPR.
Step 9: Do Not Move Them if You Suspect a Spine Injury
A strong shock can throw a person backward. It can also make the muscles jerk hard. Falls often cause neck and back injuries. Did they fall from a height or a ladder? Do they feel pain in the neck or back? Do they have numb or weak arms and legs? Then don’t move them. Hold their head and neck still with your hands. Tell them not to turn or sit up. Wait for medical help. Move them only if they face danger, like fire, smoke or water. In that case, move them slowly and keep the head, neck and back in one line.
Step 10: Get a Medical Check-Up, Even if They Feel Fine
Many people skip this step. Please don’t.
A shock can harm the heart with no visible sign. It can cause an uneven heartbeat hours later. It can also damage muscles, nerves and kidneys. Proper electrical injury treatment always begins with a doctor’s check.
Take these people to a doctor without delay:
- Anyone who lost consciousness, even for a moment
- Anyone with burns
- Anyone with chest pain, a fast or uneven heartbeat or confusion
- Anyone who felt a strong shock from a high-voltage source
- Pregnant women
- Children
Tell the doctor how long the person touched the current. Share the voltage if you know it. This helps the doctor decide on tests like an ECG.
Electric Shock Safety Tips: Prevent It Before It Happens
First aid helps after an accident. Safety stops the accident. Follow these habits at home and at work.
At home
- Fix loose wires and broken switches at once.
- Never touch switches or plugs with wet hands.
- Use plug covers if you have small children.
- Keep water away from sockets, extension boards and appliances.
- Do not overload one socket with many devices.
- Always use a licensed electrician for repair work.
At the workplace
- Install an RCCB or ELCB. It cuts the power fast when current leaks.
- Check wires, plugs and panels every month.
- Use insulated tools and rubber gloves for electrical work.
- Switch off and lock the supply before repair work. Tag it so no one turns it on by mistake.
- Train every worker in basic first aid and CPR.
- Hold a short safety drill twice a year.
Earthing matters most
Good earthing sends stray current safely into the ground. It protects people when a machine develops a fault. A properly installed GI Earthing Plate is a key part of that setup. Check your earthing pit every year, and test it after heavy rain.
Where to Keep Your Electric Shock Treatment Chart
A chart works only when people can see it. Put it where accidents can happen.
Good places include:
- Factories and workshops
- Offices
- Electrical rooms
- Near main switch panels
- Schools and labs
Keep it at eye level. Use large, clear text and simple pictures. Anyone should read it from a few steps away. Place a first aid box and the emergency numbers next to it. Check the chart twice a year. Replace it if it fades or tears. These small actions are the base of electric shock safety steps at the workplace.
One More Thing
Electric shock emergencies move fast. You get no time to think. Learn these 10 steps. Share them with your team. Keep an electric shock treatment chart where everyone can see it. Stay calm. Cut the power. Call for help. These three actions save lives. Want a ready-made chart for your workplace? Check our electric shock treatment chart
FAQs: Electric Shock Treatment
Q. What is an electric shock treatment chart?
Ans. It is a printed first aid guide that shows the steps to follow when someone gets an electric shock.
Q. What should you do first when someone gets an electric shock?
Ans. Do not touch the person, switch off the power, then call 112 or 108.
Q. Can you touch a person who has just got an electric shock?
Ans. Touch them only after the power is off, or move the source away with a dry wooden stick.
Q. What are the common signs of an electric shock?
Ans. You may see tingling, muscle pain, burns, dizziness, confusion, chest pain or loss of consciousness.
Q. When should you start CPR after an electric shock?
Ans. Start CPR if the person does not respond and does not breathe normally.
Q. How do you treat electrical burns at home?
Ans. Cool the burn under clean running water for 10 to 20 minutes, cover it with a dry non-stick dressing and see a doctor.
Q. Does a person need a doctor if they feel fine after a shock?
Ans. Yes, because a shock can harm the heart and nerves without any visible sign.
Q. What should you never do when someone gets an electric shock?
Ans. Never touch them while they touch live current, and never use wet or metal objects to move a wire.
Q.Where should you keep an electric shock treatment chart at work?
Ans.Keep it at eye level near switch panels, electrical rooms, factories and offices.
Q. How can you prevent electric shocks at home and at work?
Ans.Fix loose wires, keep hands dry, install an RCCB and check your earthing every year.