What to Do After an Electric Shock on the Hand

What to do after an electric shock on the hand involves administering first aid as quickly as possible to reduce the chance of serious harm. Electrical current can injure the body and lead to complications such as burns, heart rhythm changes, and neurological problems.

To help limit injury, the power source should be shut off and the person should be moved away from the electricity. Emergency medical services should then be called, and it is important to check whether the person is conscious and breathing.

Knowing what to do after an electric shock, whether it affects the hand or another part of the body, is important for two reasons: it helps prevent complications in the injured person and protects the rescuer from electrical injury.

First aid

What to do after an electric shock:

1. Turn off or disconnect the power source, but do not touch the person while they are still in contact with electricity;

2. Move the person away from the electrical source using dry, non-conductive materials such as wood, plastic, thick cloth, or rubber;

3. Call an ambulance by dialing 911;

4. Check whether the person is conscious and breathing:

• If conscious: keep the person calm until the medical team arrives;

• If unconscious but breathing: place the person on their side in the recovery position;

• If unconscious and not breathing: begin chest compressions and rescue breathing.

Continue first aid until medical help arrives. According to the American Heart Association, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation is essential when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, as early CPR can significantly increase the chances of survival until emergency medical services arrive.

Main complications

In addition to the immediate risk of death when the electrical current is very strong, an electric shock can affect the body in other ways, such as:

1. Burns

Most electrical shock injuries cause only small skin burns at the point of contact. However, when the voltage is very high, excess electricity may affect internal organs.

If electricity reaches internal organs, it can seriously interfere with how they function. Because of this, the person may need treatment for kidney failure, heart failure, or damage to another affected organ.

2. Heart problems

When an electric current passes through the chest and affects the heart, it can cause dangerous rhythm disturbances such as atrial fibrillation. The American Heart Association warns that electrical injuries may interfere with the heart’s normal electrical activity and require prompt medical evaluation to prevent serious complications.

When the current is very strong, such as shocks involving high-voltage power lines, it can disrupt the heart’s electrical activity and the heart muscle, leading to cardiac arrest, which can be fatal.

3. Neurological injuries

Any electrical current can affect nerves to some degree. With repeated or very strong shocks, nerve structure can be damaged, which may lead to neuropathy.

Neuropathy can cause symptoms such as pain or numbness in the arms and legs, difficulty moving muscles, or frequent dizziness.