What To Do

What To Do If Someone Is Electrocuted

Key Takeaway: If someone has received an electric shock, do not touch them until the power source is off. Call 000, make the scene safe, then check response and breathing. If they are not breathing normally, start CPR immediately. Even if they seem okay, an electric shock can still affect the heart and should be medically assessed.

🚨 Quick Action Guide

Situation You See	Immediate Action
Person still in contact with electricity	Do not touch them. Switch off power first
Power line down or high voltage risk	Stay back, keep others away, call 000
Power is off and they are unresponsive	Check breathing, call 000
Not breathing normally	Start CPR and get an AED
Breathing but unconscious	Recovery position, monitor, ambulance
Awake after shock	Keep still, monitor, get medical assessment

⏱ Your First Steps

When someone has been electrocuted, people often panic and rush in.

That is the first mistake.

1. Stop and look before touching anything
If they are still in contact with live power, touching them can shock you too.
(Professional Electricians put alot of effort in preparing to avoid this)

2. Turn off the electricity if you can do it safely
Switch off the mains, isolate the power, or unplug the source.

3. Once the scene is safe, check response and breathing
Talk to them, tap their shoulder, and check if they are breathing normally.

🔴 Still In Contact With Electricity

This is a life-threatening emergency.

Do not touch them
Switch off the power if you can do so safely
If needed, use a dry non-metal object to separate them from the source
Call 000
Only go in once the danger is controlled

The rescue comes after the power is made safe.

removing electrocuted person from danger

using broom to remove person from electric shock

🟠 Power Is Off But They’re Unconscious

Now treat it like any major emergency.

Check breathing
If they are not breathing normally → call 000, start CPR, get an AED
If they are breathing but unconscious → recovery position, monitor breathing, wait for the ambulance
Treat any burns once the danger is gone

Electric shock can stop the heart, affect breathing, or cause internal injury even when the skin looks fine.

🟢 Awake After The Shock

This is where people underestimate the danger.

Keep them still and calm
Watch for chest pain, confusion, breathing trouble, burns, or collapse
Do not let them just get back to work
They still need medical assessment

A “small” electric shock can still cause heart rhythm problems or hidden internal damage.

⚠️ High Voltage And Fallen Power Lines

If a power line is down, or there is any chance of high voltage, do not attempt a hands-on rescue.

Keep well back, stop others from approaching, and call 000. This is not the moment for guesswork.

❌ What NOT To Do

Don’t touch the person before the power is isolated
Don’t use metal or wet objects near the source
Don’t go near fallen power lines
Don’t assume they are fine because they are talking
Don’t ignore burns, breathing problems, or chest symptoms

🎓 Why CPR/LVR Training Matters

two students practicing cpr at an lvr course

For most people, the key lesson is simple: make it safe first, then check breathing, call 000, and be ready to start CPR.

But for electricians and electrical workers, this is not just general first aid knowledge. It is a job risk.

That is why an LVR course matters. In a real electrical emergency, the biggest danger is creating a second casualty. Proper training teaches a safe rescue sequence, how to isolate risk, and what to do immediately after a live low-voltage incident.

Our course covers UETDRMP018 Perform rescue from a live LV panel together with CPR. For electricians, apprentices, maintenance workers, and safety observers, that combination matters.

If you work around live panels, a CPR LVR course is not just about compliance. It is about having a practised response when seconds matter and panic gets people hurt.

Need CPR/LVR Training?

Book CPR/LVR Course

FAQs

Can I touch someone who is being electrocuted?

No. Not until the power source has been switched off or safely isolated. Otherwise you can become the next casualty.

What if they seem okay after the shock?

They still need medical assessment. Electric shock can affect the heart and cause internal injury even when the person looks fine.

What if it is a fallen power line?

Stay back, keep others away, and call 000. Do not attempt a direct rescue near a live or potentially live power line.

Is this what LVR training is for?

Yes. Low Voltage Rescue training is designed for electrical workers who may need to safely rescue someone from a live low-voltage panel and then provide CPR.

🚨 Quick Summary

If someone is electrocuted, do not touch them until the power is off. Make the scene safe first. Then check response and breathing. If they are not breathing normally, call 000, start CPR, and use an AED if available. If they are breathing but unconscious, use the recovery position and monitor them closely. Even if they wake up and seem okay, they still need medical assessment. For electricians and electrical workers, CPR/LVR training gives you the safe rescue process for exactly this kind of emergency.

Fast action can save a life.

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