Electric Shock – a Silent Killer
An electric shock happens when an electric current passes through body. This can burn both internal and external tissue and cause organ damage.
A range of things can cause an electric shock, including:
- Power lines
- Lightning
- Electric machinery
- Electric weapons, such as Tasers
- Household appliances
- Electrical outlets
The symptoms of an electric shock depend on how severe it is.
Potential symptoms of an electric shock include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Muscle spasms
- Numbness or tingling
- Breathing problems
- Headache
- Problems with vision or hearing
- Burns
- Seizures
- Irregular heartbeat
The following table contains details of the effect of alternating electric current during a hand-to foot shock of one second duration.
| Current level (milli-amperes) | Probable Effect on Human Body |
| 1 mA | Perception level. Slight tingling sensation |
| 5 mA | Slight shock felt; not painful but disturbing. Average individual can let go |
| 6 – 16 mA | Painful shock. Loss of muscular control. Commonly referred to as the freezing current or “let-go” range. |
| 17 – 99 mA | Extreme pain, respiratory arrest, severe muscular contractions. Individual cannot let go the source in contact with. Can cause ventricular fibrillation. |
| 100 – 2000 mA | Ventricular fibrillation (uneven pumping of the heart.) Muscular contraction and nerve damage begins to occur. Death likely. |
| > 2,000 mA | Cardiac arrest, internal organ damage, and severe burns. Death probable. |
Electric shock causes due to unsafe maintenance practices, faulty design of the equipments, frayed or damaged cords or extension leads. An electric shock occurs when a person comes into contact of electrical energy source.
