ELECTROCUTION
We always rely on the benefits of electricity, but we may forget the hazards associated with it. Historically, electrocution accounts for about 20% of all fatalities in the construction industry but is on the decline in the general population. Even when we’re being as careful as we can, accidents happen. If someone does get electrocuted, you can provide help—and help yourself— by remembering the following tips:
• When someone receives an electrical shock, his or her breathing and heartbeat could stop. Even small electrical currents can damage or prove fatal to the brain, heart and lungs. Electrical shocks can also burn the skin, nerves, tissue and muscles inside the body. Electrical shocks with enough voltage can also cause broken bones.
• If a person has been shocked, do NOT touch or attempt to move the person. Turn off the main source of power first.
• If the victim is not breathing or has no heartbeat, check first to ensure the person is no longer connected to the source of the shock. Once scene safety is established, begin CPR and get an AED to the scene.
DROWNING
Near drowning is severe oxygen deprivation (suffocation) caused by submersion in water not resulting in death. When death occurs, the event is called drowning. When a person is submerged under water, some of the water can enter the airways. The vocal cords may spasm, temporarily preventing water from reaching the lungs.
When filled with water, the lungs cannot efficiently transfer oxygen to the blood. This decrease in the level of oxygen in the blood that results may lead to brain damage and eventual death. Water in the lungs, particularly water that is contaminated by bacteria, algae, sand, dirt, chemicals or vomit, can cause serious lung damage.
Submersion in cold water has both bad and good effects. Muscle cooling makes swimming difficult and dangerously low body temperature can impair judgement. Cold temperatures however, protect tissues from the ill-effects of oxygen deprivation. In addition, cold water may stimulate the mammalian diving reflex, which may prolong survival in cold water.
78 Trauma
This diving reflex slows the heartbeat and redirects the flow of blood from the hands, feet and intenstines to the heart and brain, thus helping to preserve these vital organs. The diving reflex is more pronounced in children than in adults, therefore children have a greater chance of surviving prolonged submersion in cold water than do adults.
The most important step in first aid care for a drowning patient is to ventilate immediately. Contrary to popular belief, death from drowning is usually the result of suffocation, not water in the lungs. About half of all drownings are termed “dry” drownings. This occurs when the larynx spasms shut and closes off access to the lungs. The patient will then suffocate. Once unconscious, the larynx will begin to relax which allows water into the lungs. If water is aspirated into the lungs, it is termed a “wet” drowning.
Quickly remove the patient from the water by any safe method. If the patient is not breathing, begin CPR immediately.
You should try to conserve the patient’s body heat by removing wet clothing and keeping the patient warm until professional medical help arrives. Even near-drowning patients need to be transported to the hospital because secondary complications may develop, producing injury or death several days after the accident.
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