Question

First aid for an electric shock victim is:

• A. Pouring water on body
• B. Artificial respiration
• C. Rubbing the skin
• D. Bandages

Hint:

The priority sequence for electric shock first aid is: Isolate the victim (break the electrical path safely), Assess consciousness and breathing, and Revive via artificial respiration/CPR immediately if required.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Pathophysiological Effects of Electric Shock:
An electric shock passing through a human body can severely disrupt the neural signals governing cardiac rhythm and pulmonary function. The victim's respiratory muscles can become paralyzed, causing immediate respiratory failure, asphyxia, or cardiac arrest.

Step 2: Emergency Response Priority:
Once the victim has been safely isolated from the live electrical source:

• Check for breathing and a pulse.
• If the victim has stopped breathing, artificial respiration (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or CPR) must be administered immediately to restore oxygenation to the brain and prevent irreversible biological death.

Step 3: Analyzing Other Options:

• Pouring water (A): Extremely dangerous. Water is conductive, which can worsen electrocution or cause severe hypothermia.
• Rubbing the skin (C) Bandaging (D): Non-urgent treatments that do not address the critical, life-threatening situation of respiratory arrest.

Therefore, option (B) is the primary first-aid requirement.