If someone is electrocuted, cut the power first, then use a dry wooden stick to pry the source of electricity away; never pull the victim by hand directly.

18. If someone is electrocuted, cut the power first, then use a dry wooden stick to pry the source of electricity away; never pull the victim by hand directly.

Cost: No cost involved.

In plain terms: First, turn off the power, or use a dry wooden stick to move the electrical source away before touching the victim. Pulling them by hand directly can turn one victim into two. If the victim isn’t breathing after being freed from the current, immediately perform chest compressions as described in step 1 of this section — don’t hesitate to act just because it’s an electrical injury. Never attempt to handle situations involving downed high-voltage lines or nearby electrical equipment on your own; instead, move to a safe distance and wait for utility workers to cut the power.

Benefit: This approach prevents rescuers from getting electrocuted as well, avoiding a situation where one victim becomes two. For victims who stop breathing after being freed from the electrical current, performing CPR as outlined in step 1 of this section is effective. The emergency response guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise: first observe the scene and avoid touching the victim, as they may still be connected to the power source. If possible, cut the power first. If that’s not feasible, use non-conductive materials like cardboard, plastic or wood to move the power source away. For victims with no breathing or pulse after being freed from the current, immediate CPR is required. A review of relevant studies found that patients who suffer cardiac arrest due to electrocution and are successfully revived generally have a good prognosis.

Evidence grade: B

Sources: US CDC. What to Do to Protect Yourself From Electrical Hazards (First aid section). <https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/response/what-to-do-protect-yourself-from-electrical-hazards.html>; Spies C, Trohman RG (2006). Narrative review: Electrocution and life-threatening electrical injuries. Annals of Internal Medicine 145(7):531-537. <https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-145-7-200610030-00011>

Notes: The rule “cut power first, then touch the victim” is purely self-protective: pulling the victim by hand directly means you’ll be the next victim. Never attempt to handle downed high-voltage lines or nearby electrical equipment on your own; move to a safe distance and wait for utility workers to cut the power. For cardiac arrest caused by electrocution, standard CPR and defibrillation procedures apply — don’t hesitate to perform these just because it’s an “electrical injury”.