In almost all cases, touching power lines or coming into contact with energized sources will result in electric shock, which can cause a range of injuries and even death
. The severity of the injury depends on factors such as the intensity and type of current, the duration of exposure, and the pathway through the body
. Effects of electric shock:
- Immediate effects Immediate effects can include burns, irregular heartbeat, seizures, tingling, loss of consciousness, and headaches
. More severe outcomes can include coma, heart attack, and respiratory arrest
- Long-term effects Long-term effects can include neuropsychological and physical symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), memory loss, pain, depression, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, reduced attention span, flashbacks, tingling, fainting, night sweats, loss of balance, muscle spasms, stiff joints, and weakness
Electrical current passing through the body can cause severe burns, cardiac arrest, heart damage, arrhythmia, brain damage, paralysis, or internal organ damage, potentially leading to serious injuries or death
. Contact with power lines can lead to serious injury or be fatal
. Contact includes touching lines with any part of the body or any conductive materials
. The most common injuries from a power line electrocution include burns and cardiac and neurological damage
