Emergency IndiaKnow what to do. Act fast. Save a life.

Electric Shock

Switch the power off first. Never touch a person still in contact with current.

criticalHIGH-CONFIDENCE GUIDANCEReviewed 2026-08-18
Read aloud

RECOGNIZE

  • The person is in contact with, or just released from, an electrical source.
  • Burns at the entry and exit points, muscle spasm, confusion, collapse.
  • They may be unresponsive or in cardiac arrest.

CALL

  • Call 112 for any high-voltage contact, any loss of consciousness, any burn, or any abnormal heartbeat sensation.
  • Call 112 for lightning strike or any electrical injury in water.

DO NOW

  1. 1SWITCH OFF THE POWERTurn off the mains or unplug the source before you go near the person.
  2. 2DO NOT TOUCH THEM YETIf you cannot switch the power off, keep well back and call for professional help.
  3. 3CALL 112Report an electrical injury and say whether the power is off.
  4. 4CHECK RESPONSE AND BREATHINGOnce it is safe, tap and shout, then look for normal breathing for up to 10 seconds.
  5. 5START CPR IF NEEDEDIf they are not breathing normally, begin chest compressions and use an AED as soon as it arrives.
  6. 6COOL AND COVER BURNSAfter the immediate danger, cool burns with clean running water and cover loosely.

DO NOT DO

  • DO NOT touch the person while they may still be connected to the current.
  • DO NOT use metal objects to move wires.
  • DO NOT approach high-voltage lines — keep at least 10 metres away and wait for the power company.
  • DO NOT assume a small skin burn means a small injury.
  • DO NOT enter water that may be electrified.

WHILE WAITING FOR HELP

  • Keep the person still and lying down.
  • Watch breathing continuously — abnormal heart rhythms can develop.
  • Look for a second burn where the current exited the body.
  • Note the voltage source and how long the contact lasted.

WHEN TO ESCALATE

  • Unresponsive with abnormal breathing → Cardiac Arrest flow.
  • Chest pain, palpitations, fainting → tell 112 immediately.

AFTERCARE

  • All significant electrical injuries need hospital evaluation because internal injury may exist even when skin injury looks small.
  • Get faulty wiring and appliances repaired before use.
Open CPR Metronome

CPR rhythm · 110 per minute

PUSH

Push hard in the centre of the chest. At least 5 cm deep, not more than about 6 cm. Let the chest come fully back up each time.

Keep going until the person breathes normally or trained responders take over.

MEDICAL SOURCES

  • American Red Cross

    Focused Updates and Guidelines for First Aid

    Published / updated 2024 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18

  • European Resuscitation Council

    ERC Guidelines — Basic Life Support and First Aid

    Published / updated 2021 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18

    Open source

  • American Heart Association

    Guidelines for CPR and ECC — Basic Life Support / First Aid

    Published / updated 2020 · Evidence reviewed for this app on 2026-08-18

    Open source

This content is educational first-aid guidance and does not replace emergency medical care. Guidelines can change. Verify clinical guidance periodically.

Related emergencies

112