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2. Fundamentals of First Aid - Electrical Burns

3. What’s at Stake? An electrical burn occurs when skin meets an electrical voltage. It does not always leave a significant burn to the skin, but the electricity can cause significant internal damage to nerves, muscles and internal organs.

4. What’s the Danger? • Electricity creates a lot of heat – major burns to muscle, nerves, organs • Arcs generate up to 7000F – severe/fatal burns • Low voltage burns – widespread superficial blisters – but small burn site doesn’t mean minor burn

5. How to Protect Yourself • Keep yourself safe • Call 911 for injury and utility company to turn off power • Don't touch person still in contact with electrical current • Stay at least 20 feet (6 meters) away — farther if wires jumping and sparking • Don't move a person unless in immediate danger

6. How to Protect Yourself • General burn care • Call 911 if: • Burn penetrates all layers of skin • Burn covers large area of body • Leathery, charred skin - white, brown, black patches • Hands, feet, face, or genitals are burned • Person is an infant or a senior • Burned areas swell quickly – remove restrictive items • Don’t break blisters or apply butters/ointments

7. How to Protect Yourself • First-degree burns • Least serious – outer layer of skin • Redness, swelling, pain • Hold burned area under cool water • Cover with sterile non-adhesive bandage • OTC pain relievers

8. How to Protect Yourself • 2nd-degree burns • Top 2 layers of skin • Red, white, splotchy skin, swelling, pain, blisters • Immerse in cool water 10-15 minutes • Don’t apply ice or immerse large severe burns in water • Call 911 and keep victim safe – don’t remove clothes if stuck • Cover burn(s) loosely with sterile, non-stick bandage • Elevate burned area - raise the wound above heart

9. How to Protect Yourself • 3rd-degree burns • All layers of skin, fat, muscle, bone • Call for emergency medical help immediately • Burned areas - charred black or white • Lay victim flat – elevate feet/burn area if safe • Keep victim warm and calm • Treat injuries and for shock until help arrives

10. Final Word Electrical burns may have very little effect on the skin, unlike burns from a heat source, however, they are very serious. The electrical current can also cause a burn deep under the skin, where the damage cannot be seen. Anyone who suffers an electrical burn should be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible.