If the machine sparks over they may yip. There is no shock, but it is quite an experience nevertheless. The repulsive forces on all body hairs and skin rise slowly as potential builds and one is not aware of this happening. When the discharge removes these forces suddenly the victim feels suddenly squeezed or compressed. You have to feel it yourself to appreciate the experience.
All students have a morbid interest in the dangers or lethal character of the machine.
I point out that damage can come to the body from electricity in three ways. If the passage of charge is sufficient to separate the man into his constituent parts by electrolysis he cannot be reassembled in this world. If the passage of charge is rapid enough and continued long enough the man is cooked by the heat developed. If the potential is sufficient and placed appropriately, disruptions of normal nerve functions essential to the control of life functions can occur. Immediate removal of the adverse conditions, artificial respiration, and perhaps heart massage or adrenalin will usually bring the victim back to normal.