From there, the current follows the path of least resistance, which can depend on tissue composition, thick- ness, moisture level, and conductivity. Thicker and drier layers offer more re- sistance. Bone offers significant resistance when compared to so tissue, and fat tissue has a relatively higher resistance than muscle or nerve tissue. The areas of the body with the lowest resistance include moist skin, muscle tissue, and blood. Because blood consists of water and electrolytes, it is significantly more conductive. An electric current passing through the body’s organs can disrupt normal functions and cause serious injuries. Electric shock can especially affect the heart, which relies on electrical impuls- es to regulate its rhythm. High-voltage shocks can particularly affect the heart in a variety of ways. Ventricular fibrillation can cause the heart’s ventricles to quiver ineffective- ly instead of pumping blood. This can lead to cardiac arrest, which depletes the body of oxygenated blood and can cause irreversible brain dam- age. Bradycardia or tachycardia is when the heart beats too slow or too fast, which can cause dizziness, faint- ing, or chest pain. Electric shock can affect the entire ner- vous system, including the brain and spinal cord. It can disrupt nerve im- pulses and result in severe muscle con- tractions, numbness, tingling, or loss of consciousness oen visually associated with electric shock. An electric current can also affect respiratory function leading to respira- tory muscle paralysis or damage to the respiratory centers in the brainstem. This can cause shortness of breath, dif- ficulty breathing, respiratory arrest, or complete respiratory failure. An electric current will weave through the body until it finds an exit point
Contact with an electric current can create an entry wound that opens a pathway into the body through which the current flows.
not result in death, there are a few dif- ferent kinds of electric shock: • Low-voltage shock Typically oc- curring when a person touches an electrical source such as household appliances, power outlets, or bat- tery, it can create a range of un- pleasant sensations, such as mus- cle contractions or vibrations and minor burns. • High-voltage shock Deep tissue injuries, damage to internal organs, cardiac arrest, and even death can occur when a person encounters power lines, industrial equipment, or high-voltage machinery. • Direct shock Touching a live wire or exposed electrical components can create a direct pathway for electrical currents to flow into the body. • Indirect shock This can occur when a person touches a conductive object, such as metal, and can be just as dan- gerous as a direct shock. • Arc flash This occurs when an elec- trical current jumps across a gap be- tween two conductive materials. It is usually associated with high-voltage electrical systems.
Electric burns Ranging from minor to severe, an electric burn occurs when electrical energy is converted into heat and damages tissues as it pass- es through the body. There are three types of electric burns: • True burns These can occur when an electrical current generates heat within the body to the point that it causes thermal damage to tissues. • Flash burns Superficial burns to the skin and surrounding tissues can oc- cur when a current produces an in- tense flash of heat. • Arc burns This can occur when an electrical current jumps from one con- ductive material to another, leaving localized burns at the contact points. Falls caused by contact The experi- ence of electrocution, shock, or burn may cause a person to lose control and fall, causing injury or death. PATH OF DESTRUCTION Contact with an electric current can create a point of entry that opens a pathway into the body through which the current flows.
22 | ArborTIMES Spring 2024
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