How Does Electricity Affect the Body?
Electricity travels through conductors—materials that allow electrical flow. The human body is an excellent conductor, which is why electric shocks are a common household hazard.
While minor shocks are usually more surprising than dangerous, prolonged exposure or high-voltage electrocution can cause:
✔ Severe burns to the skin and internal tissues
✔ Cardiac arrest (disrupting the heart’s electrical signals)
✔ Unconsciousness or respiratory failure
🚨 WARNING: Electrocution victims may still be in contact with the electrical source! Never touch them until the electricity is turned off!
What to Do in an Electrocution Emergency
Step 1: Ensure the Scene is Safe ⚠
📌 DO NOT touch the victim if they are still in contact with an electrical source.
📌 If possible, turn off the electricity at the circuit breaker or power switch.
📌 If shutting off the power is not possible, use a non-conductive object (plastic, glass, dry wood) to move the electrical source away from the victim.
Step 2: Call 911 if Any of the Following Occur 🚨
📌 The victim is unconscious.
📌 They have burns, difficulty breathing, or irregular heartbeat.
📌 The victim was exposed to high voltage (power lines, industrial accidents).
Step 3: Check for Breathing & Pulse
✔ If the victim is not breathing or has no pulse, begin CPR immediately.
✔ If they are breathing but appear weak, pale, or confused, they may be in shock (see next section).
Step 4: Treat Burns
🔥 Electrical burns may have both an entry and exit wound (where the current entered and exited the body).
✔ Cover burns with a dry, sterile dressing—do NOT apply ointments or ice.
✔ Do not pop blisters—this increases infection risk.
Step 5: Prevent Shock
If the victim is pale, weak, or dizzy:
✔ Lay them down with their head slightly lower than their chest.
✔ Elevate their legs to improve circulation.
✔ Keep them warm and calm until medical help arrives.
🚨 If they become unresponsive, start CPR immediately!
When to Seek Medical Attention 🚑
Call 911 or seek medical attention immediately if:
🚨 The person was exposed to high voltage (power lines, industrial equipment).
🚨 They have burns, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness.
🚨 The victim has tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness after the shock.
🚨 They fell from a height or suffered secondary injuries due to electrocution.
💡 Even if the person seems fine, electric shocks can cause internal injuries! It’s always best to seek medical evaluation after electrocution.
Quick Quiz: Electrical Injuries & First Aid
1️⃣ What is the FIRST thing you should do in an electrocution emergency?
a) Check the victim’s breathing
b) Turn off the power source or ensure the scene is safe
c) Begin CPR immediately
2️⃣ True or False: You should touch an electrocuted person to pull them away from the electrical source.
3️⃣ What should you do for electrical burns?
a) Apply ice to cool the burn
b) Cover with a dry, sterile dressing
c) Use ointment to treat the wound
4️⃣ If a person is in shock after electrocution, what position should they be placed in?
a) Sitting up in a chair
b) Lying down with feet elevated
c) Standing and walking around
Final Thoughts: Lesson Recap
✔ Never touch an electrocuted victim until you are certain the power source is off!
✔ Turn off the electricity or use a non-conductive object to move the source away.
✔ If the victim is unresponsive, call 911 and start CPR immediately.
✔ Treat burns with a dry, sterile dressing—no ointments or ice!
✔ Monitor for signs of shock and seek medical attention even if the victim appears fine.
Understanding Exposure-Related Emergencies
Extreme temperatures—both cold and hot—can severely affect the body’s ability to function. Without quick intervention, these conditions can cause permanent damage or death.
🚨 Hypothermia: When the Body Loses Heat Too Fast
Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to extreme cold. The body fails to generate heat, which can lead to organ failure and death if untreated.
💡 Who is at Higher Risk?
✔ People with fatigue, hunger, or poor physical condition
✔ Elderly individuals and young children
✔ Those exposed to cold water or prolonged outdoor exposure
Signs & Symptoms of Hypothermia
🚨 Mild Symptoms:
✅ Shivering
✅ Cold, pale skin
✅ Slurred speech
🚨 Severe Symptoms (Life-Threatening!):
⚠ Confusion or drowsiness
⚠ Weak pulse & slow breathing
⚠ Loss of coordination
⚠ No shivering (late-stage hypothermia!)
⚠ Unconsciousness
First Aid for Hypothermia
✔ Move the person to a warm, dry place immediately.
✔ Remove all wet clothing—wet fabrics draw heat away from the body.
✔ Wrap the person in blankets or use body heat to warm them.
✔ Give warm (non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated) drinks to increase body temperature.
🚨 Call 911 if symptoms are severe!
💡 DO NOT:
❌ Use direct heat sources (hot water bottles, heating pads, or fire). These can cause burns since the skin may be numb.
❌ Give alcohol or caffeine—they increase heat loss by dilating blood vessels.
❄ Frostbite: When Body Tissue Freezes
Frostbite occurs when the skin and underlying tissues freeze, typically in fingers, toes, ears, nose, and cheeks.
🚨 Signs of Frostbite:
✅ Numbness in affected areas
✅ White, waxy, or grayish skin
✅ Hardened, frozen skin
✅ Blisters (in severe cases)
💡 The biggest danger? The victim may NOT feel the frostbite due to numbness!
First Aid for Frostbite
✔ Apply a loose, sterile dressing to protect the affected area.
✔ Give warm, sugary fluids (no caffeine).
✔ Seek medical attention immediately.
🚨 DO NOT:
❌ Rub the frostbitten area—this can cause permanent tissue damage.
❌ Use heat lamps, stoves, fires, or radiators—these can cause burns.
❌ Use hot water bottles or boiling water—gradual warming is safest.
🔥 Heat Stroke: A Life-Threatening Condition
Heat stroke occurs when the body overheats and loses its ability to sweat, leading to a rapid rise in body temperature. If untreated, brain damage or death can occur.
🚨 Signs of Heat Stroke:
✅ Flushed, dry, very hot skin (no sweating)
✅ Strong, rapid pulse (may weaken over time)
✅ Confusion or dizziness
✅ Irregular breathing & potential loss of consciousness
First Aid for Heat Stroke
✔ Move the victim to a cool, shaded environment.
✔ Remove all clothing to help body heat escape.
✔ Wrap the person in moist sheets or immerse them in cool water.
✔ Call 911 immediately—heat stroke is a medical emergency!
💡 DO NOT:
❌ Use ice-cold water or ice baths—this can cause shock.
❌ Give alcohol or caffeine—these can worsen dehydration.
When to Call 911 🚨
📌 Call emergency services immediately if:
🚨 The person is unresponsive or confused (heat stroke or severe hypothermia).
🚨 They are not shivering despite cold exposure (late-stage hypothermia).
🚨 Frostbite has turned the skin white, hard, or blistered.
🚨 Cooling efforts for heat stroke are not working.
Quick Quiz: Temperature-Related Emergencies
1️⃣ What is a key sign of SEVERE hypothermia?
a) Uncontrollable shivering
b) Warm, flushed skin
c) No shivering and confusion
2️⃣ True or False: Rubbing a frostbitten area helps restore circulation.
3️⃣ What is the most dangerous symptom of heat stroke?
a) Heavy sweating
b) Rapid breathing
c) Loss of ability to sweat and very hot, dry skin
4️⃣ What should you NEVER give to a hypothermic victim?
a) Warm water
b) Coffee or alcohol
c) Blankets
Final Thoughts: Lesson Recap
✔ Hypothermia happens when the body loses heat faster than it can generate it.
✔ Frostbite is freezing of the skin and underlying tissue, often without the victim realizing it.
✔ Heat stroke is life-threatening and occurs when the body cannot cool itself by sweating.
✔ Call 911 for severe temperature-related emergencies!
What is Poisoning?
A poison is any substance that disrupts normal body functions and can cause serious harm. Poisons can enter the body in four ways:
Ingestion – Eating or drinking harmful substances
Inhalation – Breathing in toxic fumes or gases
Injection – Poison entering through a bite, sting, or needle
Topical Absorption – Poison absorbed through the skin
Poisoning can be life-threatening! Always call the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222 in the U.S.) or 911 in severe cases.
Poisoning by Ingestion (Swallowed Poisons)
Common Causes:
Overdose of medications, drugs, or alcohol Household chemicals (cleaners, detergents, pesticides) Spoiled or toxic food
Signs & Symptoms of Poisoning by Ingestion:
Warning signs include: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea Severe stomach pain Irregular breathing or pulse Burned or stained lips/mouth (from corrosive substances)
First Aid for Poisoning by Ingestion
Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) immediately! They will guide treatment. Do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed by Poison Control.
In some cases, diluting the poison by giving water may be recommended. Do NOT induce vomiting if the poison is:
A strong acid or alkali (bleach, drain cleaner, battery acid) A petroleum product (gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner) The victim is unconscious, convulsing, or unable to swallow
If the victim is unresponsive or struggling to breathe, call 911 immediately!
Poisoning by Inhalation (Toxic Gas Exposure)
Common Causes: Carbon monoxide poisoning (from car exhaust, faulty furnaces, or fires) Industrial chemicals (sulfur dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide) Smoke inhalation from fires
Signs & Symptoms of Poisoning by Inhalation:
Warning signs include: Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Uncontrollable coughing Cyanosis (bluish skin due to lack of oxygen) Carbon monoxide poisoning may cause bright red skin instead of blue
First Aid for Poisoning by Inhalation
Before assisting, make sure the scene is SAFE! Do NOT enter an area with toxic gas without protective gear.
Move the victim to fresh air immediately. Ensure an open airway and check breathing. Begin CPR if the victim is not breathing. Treat for shock if necessary. Call 911 immediately for serious inhalation poisoning!
Carbon monoxide poisoning is deadly and has NO smell—install CO detectors at home!
Poisoning by Topical Absorption (Skin Exposure to Poisons)
Common Causes: Chemical burns (acid, alkali, industrial chemicals) Toxic plants (poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac) Pesticides, fertilizers, or industrial solvents
Signs & Symptoms of Skin Poisoning:
Warning signs include: Redness, itching, or burning sensation Swelling or rash Blisters or peeling skin
First Aid for Poisoning by Topical Absorption
Remove contaminated clothing immediately. Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. Apply a topical ointment to reduce itching or burning. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or persist.
If the chemical is still burning the skin, call 911 immediately!
When to Call 911
Call emergency services immediately if: The poisoned person is unresponsive, unconscious, or struggling to breathe. Poison Control advises emergency care. The person ingested a corrosive substance, petroleum product, or overdose. They are having seizures, chest pain, or signs of shock.
For all poisoning emergencies, the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222 in the U.S.) should be called immediately.
Quick Quiz: Poisoning & First Aid
a) Try to make the victim vomit
b) Call Poison Control for instructions
c) Have them drink milk
a) Move them to fresh air and check breathing
b) Give them food to absorb the poison
c) Have them lie down and rest in the contaminated area
a) Wipe it off with a dry cloth
b) Rinse the affected area with water and remove contaminated clothing
c) Apply lotion to soothe irritation
Final Thoughts: Lesson Recap
Poisoning can happen through ingestion, inhalation, injection, or skin absorption. Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) for guidance in ALL poisoning cases. NEVER induce vomiting unless instructed—some substances can cause more damage when vomited. For inhaled poisons, move the person to fresh air immediately and call 911 if breathing is affected. For skin exposure, remove contaminated clothing and rinse thoroughly with water.