The effect of electric current on the human body

Electrical injury can be obtained by a person as a result of an electric shock or an arc. In this case, the chemical, thermal and biological effects on the body are produced, as a result of which normal vital activity is disrupted.

The chemical effect of electric current on the human body leads to the electrolysis of blood and all solutions contained within the body. As a result, their functions are violated. Biological influence leads to the excitation of living cells, in particular the nervous system. As a result, convulsions or paralysis appear. In some cases, the respiratory apparatus (the muscles of the chest) and the heart (the muscles of the ventricles) are paralyzed. Such manifestations most often lead to death.

The effect of electric current on a person can be expressed in the defeat of individual parts of the body, in obtaining electrical burns, mechanical damage, metallization of the skin.

Burns occur under the influence of the electric arc, with direct exposure to the flame on the external tissues, the skin, especially at the point of contact with live parts.

The appearance of skin metallization is due to the penetration of metal particles into its upper layers, for example, when exposed to an electric arc flame.
Mechanical damage to the body is possible with sudden involuntary movements that occur as a result of sudden damage. In this case, bruises and falls are not excluded.

In severe cases, with prolonged exposure and high current strength, it is possible to damage the nervous system, there comes a paralysis of the respiration and heart, the consequence of which is clinical death. Its manifestations are that the cells are alive, but the pulse and breath are absent. If the right time and right not to provide medical assistance, clinical death will go to the biological one. If at the scene, after the action of the electric current on the human body stops, the victim has to make an indirect massage of the heart and perform artificial respiration, then it can be revived.

A cardiac arrest can occur as a result of the effect of the current directly on the muscle when the electricity passes through the heart (hand-arm) or reflexes when the functions of the nervous system that are responsible for the functioning of the organs are disturbed.

The severity of the electric shock, together with the degree of human injury, depends mainly on the magnitude and duration of the current flow. And the magnitude of the current strength depends on the voltage and the resistance of the body. Since the tissues of the body, the skin, internal organs are very complex in their chemical composition, the magnitude of the body's resistance in humans can be different. The greatest protection is provided by the skin, especially dry, it is a poor conductor in its chemical composition and structure. If the body's cover is moist, then the resistance is significantly reduced.

Usually, the irritating effect of electric current on the human body begins to be felt at variable (frequency 50 Hz, force up to 1 mA) or constant (up to 5 mA) current. Such quantities are called perceptible thresholds, and they do not represent a particular danger, since a person can be freed from their action independently.

With a lesion of 5 to 10 mA, a stronger irritant effect occurs, pain and cramps become palpable. At currents from 10 to 15 milliamperes a person is no longer able to free himself, and a prolonged stay under such influence causes a serious condition, up to the paralysis of breathing. Such currents are called non-releasing.

The effect of electric current on the human body higher values becomes the cause of rapid stopping of breathing, damage to the heart muscle. As a result, the vital functions of organs stop, and death occurs.
The severity of the damage depends on the path of electricity. The most dangerous thing is when the current passes from hand to hand or foot.