Report on Electric shock

Introduction to Electric shock

Electricity is one of the safest form of energy as compared to other energies around us. We use electricity on daily basis and one can’t even think to spend even an hour without the availability of electricity. It has become one of the most essential use in our daily life. Along with this as electricity is important for all of us on the other side it can also kill or injure people if it is not being used properly or in a sensible way. Electric shock whether small or not, it can be much painful and one can die within a seconds. This electric shock occurs when any part of the body comes in contact with any source of the electricity and that source causes enough of the current to pass through muscles, skin or even hair. Small ampere of currents are not that much injurious but it still causes a person’s body to shake and even causes major injuries. While larger ampere of current passing through the human body make it completely impossible for a shock person or victim to let go off that object from where the current shock took place. Through this shock, damage to the tissues take place and further the shock can even make a heart to work and ultimately death of the victim takes place. Death which takes place due to any kind of the electric shock is called as electrocution. (Dalziel, C.F., 1972)

In some areas, risk of electric shock is even greater like wet areas. Mostly electric shocks takes place through appliances or any kind of the fixed electric installations. All such risks can be even controlled by using the standards and regulation properly.

Some of the common causes of electric shocks

Electric shocks definitely takes place through the electricity but how a person comes in contact with that source of electricity is the main concern here. There is not just a single cause of having an electric shock but list is long enough:

·         There are many kind of the faulty appliances at home which we don’t pay much attention and just use them on regular basis. Everyone should know this that using them can become a source of electric shock at any moment.

·         There are many wires or extensions which are damaged from certain areas and they become a cause of electric shock. At times we often leave wires and extensions switched on without even noticing that are they in use or not? Such wires should not be used at home especially where small children are present. (Dalziel, C.F., 1972)

·         In some areas, risk of electric shock is even greater like wet areas. There are many electrical appliances which ladies mostly use in kitchen on daily basis and when they come in contact with the water electric shocks take place. Make sure to keep such electric appliances away from water sources.

·         Incorrect house wiring leads to different kind of breakdowns and even electricity shocks. Due to inappropriate wiring current shocks start coming from different switches. It is better to call a proper electrician when such things happen instead of resolving them on their own.

·         Lightning strike and downed powerlines are also some of the common causes due to which electric shock takes place.

Some effects of electric shock on a human body

Human body is a good conductor and therefore electric current can easily pass through it.

As there is not a single cause of electric shock, same is the case with effects. Below mentioned are some of the effects that can take place when electric shock takes place to any of the human body:

1.      Muscle contractions can take place of electric shocks:

Muscles in the human body are stimulated through the electricity. Effect of an electricity completely depends upon the amount of current that passes through the human body and the second thing is through which type of muscle the current travels or passes through.

When the intensity of current is above than 10mA passing through the muscles of human body, it becomes completely impossible for a person to reach towards that object and stop the flow of current through that source. As a result contractions in the muscles take place, now it again depends on the time period if the flow of current is not being stopped it can also result in death. Different muscles, ligaments and tendons can also tear apart from such sudden contractions that take place through electric shock. Tissues are very delicate, they can also get burned if the electric shock is long lasting or the intensity of current is high enough.

2.      Heart attack can be another consequence of the electric shock:

Cardiac arrest or heart attack both are the same things, if the amount of 50mA passes through the heart of a human it can result in heart attack. (Bailey, B., Gaudreault, P. and Thivierge, R.L., 2008)

Heart is one of the major muscles in the human body, it beats and helps in the pumping of blood through the whole human body. There are certain rhythm in the human body and these rhythm are being controlled by the electric impulses. If current or electric shock takes place then the impulse gets masked and results in the disturbance of the rhythm of Heart. Heartbeat becomes irregular and such irregularity is termed as arrhythmia. Arrhythmia can take place even at the time of electric shock or after some hours, so person with such intensity of current passing through their body should be kept under serious observation to keep them safe and alive.

3.      Electric shock can even effect the nervous system of electric shocks:

Nerves are actually tissue and they offer very small or slight resistance to the channel of an electric current. Electric shock affecting the nerves ultimately results in the numbness, tingling or even pain. These effects of electric sock takes place after some hours of the incident and they can even become permanent.

Damage to the brain and nerves also depends on the extent of different injuries that takes place during the electric shock, these injuries can remain for months and even years. Such damage can result into a disorder called as Psychiatric disorder.

There are many of the small effects that can also take place to the human body depending on the intensity of current passing through the body. But some of the major one’s have been discussed above and one should be careful about them and take them serious as well.

Things to do in electrical incident of electric shocks

Electrical incident can take place at any moment to anyone, one should always know some of the basic things which are supposed to do in that hour to protect and help others. (Jamil, S., Jones, R.A. and McClung, L.B., 1998)

·         Power should be cut from the main source. Very first thing which should be done is to stop the supply or cut the connection from where current is coming. Always look for the main board or source. This can be done by witching off the switch from breaker box.

·         Next step is try to help the person from getting chilled. Make sure they don’t use any water for few minutes as electric shock becomes even more severe in the presence of water.

·         Make sure to call someone to help if you get panicked or feel helpless.

·         If the shock was severe try to move that person to hospital as soon as possible.

Conclusion of electric shocks

This electric shock occurs when any part of the body comes in contact with any source of the electricity and that source causes enough of the current to pass through muscles, skin or even hair. Small ampere of currents are not that much injurious but it still causes a person’s body to shake and even causes major injuries. While larger ampere of current passing through the human body make it completely impossible for a shock person or victim to let go off that object from where the current shock took place. Through this shock, damage to the tissues take place and further the shock can even make a heart to work and ultimately death of the victim takes place. We should all be aware of electrical appliances that are being used on daily basis that they are not damaged. Human body is a good conductor and therefore electric current can easily pass through it. Everyone should be careful always while dealing with electricity, try to call electrician when anything starts to feel different or if any small electric shock is even coming. Electricity is useful but is very dangerous at the same time too. So always be careful while using it as life is very precious. Take care of others or have them under your observation always whatever they are doing.

References of electric shocks

·         Dalziel, C.F., 1972. Electric shock hazard. IEEE spectrum, 9(2), pp.41-50.

·         Bailey, B., Gaudreault, P. and Thivierge, R.L., 2008. Neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms during the first year after an electric shock: results of a prospective multicenter study. The American journal of emergency medicine, 26(4), pp.413-418.

·         Jamil, S., Jones, R.A. and McClung, L.B., 1998, September. Key elements of an electrical safety program. In Record of Conference Papers. IEEE Industry Applications Society 45th Annual Petroleum and Chemical Industry Conference (Cat. No. 98CH36234) (pp. 319-327). IEEE.

·         http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg85.htm