Anyone have a policy or best practice for rescuing someone who is being electrocuted and the power shutoff isn't accessible or minutes away?

Here's what I have so far:

1) Don’t touch the person while he or she is receiving a shock; you may also be shocked.

2) From a safe location, shut off power to the equipment that caused or is causing a shock.

3) If the injured person is in contact with an energized source and immediate shutoff is not possible, use dry wood or other nonconducting item to move the part of the body in contact with the source.

Is this third item a good practice? According to the NIOSH Safety and Health for Electrical Trades Student Manual, First Aid Fact Sheet, "if you cannot get to the switchgear quickly, pry the victim from the circuit with something that does not conduct electricity such as dry wood."

If rescue is attempted while the power is still on, what other precautions should the rescuer take?

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vc

VC,

As far as using a non-conductive aid to remove someone, at this point in time it is about the only option you've got. We use 4 foot long nylon straps with looped ends (e.g. loop the strap over the person and pull).

Other precautions, know the location of the shutoff. If necessary, post someone at the shutoff. This makes electrical work a three person job (victim, informer, shut off). If you can, work on the equipment in a deenergized state.

Mikecj

is it have to  make a special prosedure to handle this kind of problem,and  i would like to know what kind of cases often happen related to electrocusion

If I follow your question(s), then yes you do need a "special" procedure for electrocution. It is one of a couple instances where a rescuer can be injured by helping the victim. The procedure is normally to shut off the current first and then respond. If the current cannot be shut off, then the victim must be removed from the source somehow.

The effects of electrocution vary depending upon the current and voltage. External effects (e.g. short circuits) can be arc flash and electrical explosions. In general, these include fire, hot projectiles, and pressure waves.

Internal effects tend to depend upon current. These can range from tingling sensations to electro-paralysis to tissue destruction.

Hi,
    There is a new product that was recently launched in Europe for such instances called the "Shockstop". Information is available on the website: www.shockstop.co.uk. The site has a downloadable instructional poster giving clear instructions of what to do in the event of electrocution.

I hope this helps.