The human body contains a high percentage of water, and that makes it an excellent conductor of electricity. When an electric current passes through, it takes the path of least resistance to exit, sometimes causing invisible but very serious harm such as internal burns, organ damage or heart problems. These injuries and impacts are often underestimated.
Muscle effects and physical injuries
From as little as 0.25 milliamperes (mA) , a person may feel tingling or pins and needles. This low threshold shows just how sensitive the body is to electric current. At 10 mA and above, the effects become more severe: the current can trigger involuntary muscle contractions, potentially preventing someone from releasing their hold, prolonging exposure and causing bone fractures or muscle tears. The person may also be thrown to the ground, risking a head injury or a sprain.
The milliampere (mA) is a unit used to measure electric current. 1 ampere = 1,000 milliamperes.
Common situations that can lead to a 10-mA electric shock
- Touching a damaged charger or exposed wire with wet hands
- Handling live wires without turning off the power
- Using a wet hairdryer or dropping it in water
- Touching a metal surface connected to a poorly installed outlet
Heart issues
The heart relies on natural electrical activity to function. When a 50-mA current passes through it, the shock can cause arrhythmia or ventricular fibrillation, disrupting the heartbeat and possibly leading to cardiac arrest that may occur even several hours later.
Internal and external burns
At 100 mA, marks may appear on the skin, but the most serious injuries are often internal: slow-developing tissue death, organ damage and kidney or circulatory complications. The severity of the injuries depends on the intensity of the current.
Intensity reference points
- 1,000 mA: Touching a wet stove extension cord can cause severe burns.
- 10,000 mA: An industrial cable can cause injuries requiring amputation.
- Above 10,000 mA: A high-voltage line can cause fatal electrocution.
Damage to the nervous system
Nerves, which have low resistance to electrical current, can be damaged, resulting in pain, numbness, loss of motor function, convulsions, memory problems or respiratory arrest. These effects may not appear immediately.
In some cases, secondary symptoms such as visual disturbances (e.g., cataracts), memory loss or emotional and cognitive disorders can develop weeks or months after the shock.
What to do in case of electric shock
- Don’t touch the person while the current is still active.
- Turn off the power source or use a non-conductive object such as dry wood or plastic.
- Call 911, even if the person seems conscious.
- In the hours and days following the shock, monitor for symptoms including pain, burns, numbness or difficulty breathing.
- See a doctor, even if everything seems fine.
Every electrical accident is different. To learn why there are so many possible scenarios, watch this video. [In French only].
Les quatre acteurs du choc électrique
Comme l'eau et le métal, le corps humain est conducteur d'électricité. Par conséquent, il est important d'éviter les situations où vous pourriez entrer en contact avec l'électricité. Un choc électrique peut provoquer un chatouillement, des spasmes musculaires, des brûlures graves et même un arrêt cardiaque ou la mort. La vidéo explique pourquoi il y a tant de scénarios possibles. Chacun se produit en un clin d'œil, et il est impossible de prédire l'issue exacte d'un accident. Une chose est certaine : lorsqu'il y a contact, l'électricité est toujours plus rapide que vous ! Heureusement, la prévention des accidents électriques est très simple. Il s'agit d'éviter les situations dangereuses où vous pourriez entrer en contact avec l'électricité.
Vidéo de 4 minutes 39 secondes
Prevention remains your best protection
Avoid risky behaviours, check the condition of your equipment and keep a safe distance from power sources.
An electric shock is never trivial: it’s better to avoid one than suffer one!
