Electric Shock: What Is Is, How It Feels, and Why Dangerous?

An electric shock can be a mildly unpleasant sensation or a life-threatening emergency depending on the strength of the electrical current and the duration of contact. Knowing how to prevent electric shocks is one of the primary components of electrical safety.  

But what happens if you get an electric shock? What does it feel like and will it leave any visible injuries? What kind of first aid or medical care is required?  

Here’s what you need to know about electric shock, including what electrical injuries look like and whether or not an electric shock can kill you. 

About Electric Shock: What Is It? 

An electric shock refers to the experience of an electric current traveling through the body. Living tissue contains water and is a natural conductor of electricity. In fact, the human body generates around 100 watts of power at rest and uses electricity to send signals to internal organs, such as the heart.  

An electric shock occurs when an external source of electricity, such as a faulty power line or a lightning strike, comes into contact with a part of the body. A shock can cause severe burns at the point of entry and exit, but it can also cause internal damage.  

The severity of damage depends on the type of current, the type of tissue that it passes through, and how long the contact with the current is sustained. 

What Happens When Electricity Is Passed Through the Human Body? 

When electricity enters the human body, it attempts to find its way back out. This often means passing through the person’s feet into the ground. But if multiple parts of the body are in contact with the source of electricity, it can pass through another limb instead.  

The path of the current flow through the body plays a key role in the severity of the electric shock injury. If the electrical current passes through the chest, for example, it can cause arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and even cardiac arrest.  

This is why it’s so important to wear protective gear, such as insulating gloves and boots, when working with electrical systems.  

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What Does Electric Shock Feel Like? 

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In comic books, electric shocks are often depicted with a “Zap!” or “ Zzzt!” For the most part, that’s not far off from reality. A minor symptom of electric shock can feel like a poke, twinge, or pinch, which you’ll know if you’ve ever come into contact with static electricity.  

Small electric shocks may be so weak as to be imperceptible, while severe shocks can cause muscle spasms that make it hard to let go of the electrical source.  

Meanwhile, people who have survived lightning strikes describe auditory sensations such as buzzing or humming, visual sensations such as a flash of light, and physical sensations like getting punched, kicked, or “hit in the head by a horse.” 

How Do You Treat an Electric Shock? 

If someone around you experiences an electric shock, it’s critical to take stock of the situation. If you touch someone who’s experiencing an electric shock without taking the right precautions, the shock can travel into your body too.  

Electric shock can cause loss of consciousness or make it difficult for the person to let go of the power source on their own. If the person is still touching an electrical cord or appliance, turn off the power to the electrical outlet before approaching them.  

Electrical energy can also travel through water and metal objects, so don’t approach them if the floor is still wet. Use rubber gloves or wooden objects to push them away from the source of electricity if you can do so safely.  

If the person is unconscious, you can attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while waiting for paramedics to arrive. However, don’t attempt to remove any burned clothing yourself. 

What Is a Mild Electric Shock? 

A mild electric shock is one that doesn’t cause any major symptoms or tissue damage. In general, currents of less than 50 volts are unlikely to cause major damage or death, but even low-voltage electrical circuits can cause injury in some situations.  

The Merck Manual points out that a low-frequency alternating current may be more dangerous than a direct current because it “causes extended muscle contraction … which may freeze the hand to the current’s source and prolong exposure.”  

Currents greater than 500 volts are considered “high-voltage” and are more likely to cause electrical burns, internal injuries, and cardiac arrest. 

When Should I Go to the Doctor After an Electric Shock? 

Whether or not you need to see a doctor depends on the severity of the shock. If you have any symptoms such as seizure, loss of consciousness, or an irregular heartbeat, then you should call 911 and go to the emergency department right away.  

If you don’t have symptoms, but have underlying heart problems or are pregnant, then you should still see a doctor for tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG).  

Mild electric shocks may not require medical attention and can be treated at home the same way you would treat minor burns, such as using running water to cool the skin and covering the area with a sterile bandage.  

Electricity Effects: Why Do I Feel Electricity In My Hands? 

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If you feel electricity in your hands but haven’t experienced an electric shock or been in contact with electricity, you may be feeling neuropathic pain instead. This is when your nervous system produces a sensation that feels similar to electric shock.  

A number of conditions can cause this sensation, from anxiety disorders to traumatic nerve damage. In more serious cases, it can be a manifestation of Lhermitte’s sign. 

Can Electric Shock Damage Your Heart? 

Yes, an electric shock can cause cardiac arrest, arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, and other issues. Heart damage may not be obvious right away, which is why it’s important to monitor anyone who’s experienced an electric shock for signs of heart trouble. If so, seek emergency care.  

Electric shocks are more likely to cause heart damage if the current passes through the chest (i.e., arm-to-arm or arm-to-foot rather than foot-to-foot). 

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Can an Electric Shock Damage Your Brain? 

Yes, an electric shock can damage your brain, especially if the current passes directly through it. Symptoms can include headaches, memory loss, and confusion.  

That’s not the only thing to look out for: you can also injure your brain if you hit your head during a convulsion, or if blood flow to your brain is reduced. 

Can You Talk While Being Electrocuted? 

No, it’s incredibly difficult to talk during an electric shock. That’s because the electrical current interrupts signals from your brain and nervous system. It may result in muscle spasms, but you won’t be able to control your mouth enough to communicate. You might be able to call for help once you let go of the electrical cord or device that’s connected to the current. 

How Bad Is a 240-Volt Shock? 

The severity of a 240-volt shock is depends on several factors, including the type of current and how much resistance there is. According to the National Library of Medicine, the body’s primary source of resistance to electricity is the skin, so dry skin offers more protection than wet or damaged skin.  

A 240-volt shock may not “feel” any worse than a 120-volt shock, but either voltage can cause injury or death if particular circumstances are in place. The voltage of an electrical circuit or electrical appliance isn’t what determines the severity of the shock. 

Fatal Results: Does Electric Shock Cause Death? 

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An electric shock can cause death, but not always. In fact, most people who receive an electric shock survive. The U.S. sees about 30,000 non-fatal shocks per year, but only 1,000 shock-related deaths, including 50 to 300 due to lightning strikes.  

Most deaths from electric shock occur in the workplace, followed by adolescents getting too close to high-voltage electrical equipment. A related scenario is electric shock drowning, in which a person becomes paralyzed in the water due to electric shock and subsequently drowns. 

Does Electrocuted Mean Death? 

Technically, “electrocuted” and “electrocution” refer to someone dying of electric shock, but it may also be used to refer to someone seriously injured by electricity.  

What Kills You, Voltage or Current? 

Voltage measures the potential difference in energy between two points, while current measures the actual flow of energy. An electric shock from static electricity can involve several thousand volts, but because there’s not enough of it to sustain a current, even high amounts of static electricity won’t kill you.  

On the other hand, even a low-voltage power outlet can kill you if contact with wet skin or a metal object allows it to deliver a steady current. So while it’s technically the current that kills someone, a high-voltage power line has a higher potential to deliver a fatal current. 

Is Death By Electrocution Painful? 

Yes, death by electrocution is painful since the electric current produces involuntary muscle contractions, burns, and ultimately cardiac arrest.  

Exactly how painful it is depends on how strong the current is and how quickly the person loses consciousness. If the current goes directly to the heart, it will be less painful than if it travels slowly through the body and damages muscle tissue. 

Why Does a Person Die of Electric Shock? 

The main cause of death due to electric shock is the disruption of the heartbeat. Some currents stop the heart entirely, while others cause it to beat in an irregular rhythm. Even if the heart doesn’t stop beating, the person could still die due to other injuries, such as severe electrical burns or damage to other internal organs.  

Protect Yourself From Electric Shock 

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Electric shocks can be scary, but there are plenty of precautions you can take to reduce the risk of electrical injury around your home. Start by ensuring that all of your electrical outlets have child safety covers, and that any extension cords and electrical appliances are put away when they aren’t in use.  

If you plan to install new electrical devices in your home, such as an electrical vehicle charging station, hire a professional electrician to make sure it’s done right.  

While you’re at it, why not see if you can get a better deal on your electricity bill? With Just Energy, you can get free nights or weekends, or choose a green energy plan to power your home with renewable energy.  

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