Electric shock
The outcome of an electric shock depends on various causes, many of them are not yet sufficiently investigated. Among the most important factors are the following:
> parameters of current and electrical circuit - the nature of the current, type of current, frequency, voltage magnitude;
> conditions of defeat - the place of contact, the current path in the body, the time of its action;
> physiological and psychological state of the body at the time of injury - skin moisture, sex, age, illness, fatigue, loss of attention;
> environmental factors - temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, partial air composition, electric and magnetic fields, air pollution.
The first and effective help to a person who is under current is to quickly break, de-energize the electrical circuit:
> disconnect the power source if the automatic starter, switch or plug with socket is within arm's reach;
> discard the wires from the victim by any non-conductive object;
> pull the victim by his clothes.
There are four degrees of electrical injury:
1 degree - the victim has convulsive muscle contraction without losing consciousness;
2 degree - convulsive muscle contraction in the affected person is accompanied by loss of consciousness;
3 degree - the victim has not only loss of consciousness, but also violation of cardiac activity and breathing;
4 degree - the victim is in the state of clinical death.
The most frequent causes of death in case of electric shock:
> Sudden cardiac arrest (ventricular fibrillation) - 80%
> Edema of the brain - 15%
> Spasm of respiratory musculature and asphyxia (suffocation) - 4%.
> Damage to internal organs, bleeding and burns - 1%.
Initiate first aid should only be after eliminating the danger of electric injury to others.
When the victim was released from electrical contacts, he should be examined immediately, checked for breathing, cardiac activity and measured vital signs, and provided with fresh air; unbutton the collar and waistband of trousers or skirts, other tightening garments, put on a flat place.
If the heartbeat and breathing (even weak) are preserved, you can give inhale ammonia, you should sprinkle face with cold water, rub the body with cologne, warmly wrap the affected person, immediately call a doctor.
With the saved consciousness, you can give painkillers, soothing and cardiac remedies. On the skin affected by electric burn, a bandage is applied, preferably from a sterile bandage moistened with diluted alcohol.
If there are severe disorders of breathing and cardiac activity, and even when they stop completely, proceed to artificial lung ventilation and indirect heart massage immediately, without losing a minute. For this:
> place the victim on a flat, hard surface;
> to release the respiratory tract from the tongue-swallowing, to throw back the head laying under the neck a bolster from clothes;
> raise the victim's legs upward to obstruct the flow of blood to them;
> cool the victim's head (if it is possible to cover the head with snow packs or ice packs) to reduce the edema of the brain;
> cause a precordial stroke;
> proceed to artificial respiration and indirect heart massage.
Answer these questions:
1. Give the definition of technogenic hazards.
2. Where does radiation exposure come from?
3. The most frequent causes of death in case of electric shock.
4. List the fire prevention rules.