From: johnh@macadammq.edu.au (John Haddy)
Subject: Re: SHOCKING STORIES
Organization: Macquarie University, School of Mathematics, Physics, Computing and Electronics
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 08:52:43 GMT

In article <a3HDoB1w165w@vector0.UUCP>, jon%vector0.UUCP@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US (Dazed N. Confused) writes:
|> wtm@uhura.neoucom.edu (Bill Mayhew) writes:
|> 
|>      Um, what's the medical procedure for a very bad shock?  I didn't
|> think there was any, besides grounding the body.  Is it related to
|> fire exposure, as voltage can often cook parts?
|> 
|> --Jon
|> 
|>    jon%vector0@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US                Life is like a kiwi.
|>    PacBell.COM!sactoh0!vector0!jon
|> 
|> 
As for all first aid procedures, start with Dr. ABC :

D	DANGER. Check for danger to YOURSELF, then for danger to the injured.
	This is especially important in electrical shock situations.
	First choice is to remove the source of danger (i.e. turn off the
	power). Second choice is to remove the patient from the source
	BUT ONLY IF YOU CAN DO THIS WITHOUT ENDANGERING YOURSELF!!!

R	RESPONSE. Check the patient for signs of consciousness. One shouldn't
	give resuscitation to those who don't need it! If patient is conscious
	and shows ability to breathe of his/her own accord, proceed to treatment
	for shock (below).

A	AIRWAY. Ensure the patient's airway is clear and then open the airway by
	tilting the head back. This forces the airway open (just try swallowing
	with your head tilted way back - it doesn't work!)

B	BREATHING. Ascertain whether the patient is breathing. If not, commence
	EAR (expired air rescusitation - i.e. mouth-to-mouth) with five quick
	breaths within 10 seconds.

C	CIRCULATION. After initial breaths, check for pulse on the carotid
	artery (the main blood feed to the brain - in the side of the neck). If
	no pulse is detected, commence CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). DO
	A COURSE ON CPR NOW! It's not the sort of thing you can learn on the
	spot. If the patient does have a pulse, then continue to assist his/her
	breathing with EAR at the rate of about 12 breaths per minute until either
	no longer necessary (patient recommences breathing on his/her own accord)
	or emergency services arrive to take over. For children the EAR rate is
	20 breaths per minute.

CPR rates are:
	1 breath to 5 compressions every 5 seconds if working with another person.
	2 breaths to 15 compressions every 15 seconds if working alone.

Symptoms of Shock:

	State of collapse which may lead to death.
	Pale, cold, clammy.
	Pulse slow at first then rapid and weak.
	Unconsciousness may occur.
	Usually associated with severe bleeding, pains, burns, injuries,
		heart attack or acute illness. (Electric shock causes internal
		burns as well as screwing up the nervous system)

Treatment for Shock:

	Treatment for electrical shock is the same as for trauma induced shock.
If the patient is unconscious, place him/her in the coma position, keep him/her
warm and continuously monitor breathing and circulation.

If the patient is conscious, lie them down with their feet elevated above their
heart. The feet _don't_ need to be way up in the air - just a few inches above
the heart. Cover the patient to keep them warm - this is important as the body's
response to shock can lose control of temperature regulation mechanisms. Do not
apply external sources of heat. Moisten the patients lips only if they are fully
conscious. Do not give the patient fluids to drink.

The hard thing in cases of electrical shock is to keep the patient still. I know
from personal experience that one can feel fine for some tens of minutes before
the body registers the magnitude of the jolt and goes into shock. Before that
one feels fine, albeit somewhat dazed. At the very least, keep the patient under
observation for signs of the onset of shock.

DISCLAIMER:
	I am not an M.D. - the above comes from instruction I have received as
a trained first aider. My best advice to EVERYONE who works with anything
powered by more than a battery is to DO A FIRST AID COURSE and LEARN CPR.

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