What are common signs of electrical burns and safety considerations for rescuers?

• A. Entry and exit burns; possible internal injuries; ensure power is off; use proper PPE and avoid touching patient until the scene is de-energized.
• B. Only external burns; electricity does not cause internal injury.
• C. Do not worry about power source.
• D. Do not use PPE.

Answer: (D)

Electrical burns often involve more than what you see on the surface. Electricity can travel through the body, leaving entry and exit burns and potentially causing internal injuries along the current’s path, even if only small external burns are apparent. Because of this, rescuers must treat the scene as energized until proven otherwise. The key safety steps are to ensure the power source is shut off and the scene is de-energized before touching or moving the patient, and to protect yourself with appropriate personal protective equipment and insulating measures. Keep dry, wear PPE such as insulated gloves and eye protection, use nonconductive surfaces and tools, and avoid any contact with the patient until you’re sure there’s no live current. Once the area is de-energized, assess for burns and signs of electrical injury, monitor for shock or cardiac or respiratory compromise, and provide prompt medical care and transport. Choosing to ignore the power source or skip PPE would place you and the patient at serious risk.