"Why is this lamp wire just draped across the couch?"

Treating the victim of electric shock can be dangerous, because the "problem" can be difficult to find.  It is extremely important that the first aide provider be extra careful when evaluating what happened (surveying the scene.)  The phenomenon referred to as Tunnel Vision will, most likely, KILL YOU if you are inattentive to the "cause" of this accident.  The unfortunate reality is that THIS unresponsive patient, initially, looks like every other unresponsive patient, and the first impulse (to help) will probably "hide" the electric wire that is across the person's chest.

Before treating this person, make sure that the electric current is turned off, or that the "wire" is disconnected from the electrical source.  Until you are absolutely certain that this has been done, the scene is NOT safe, and, as with any scene that is unsafe, you're first action should be to retreat to the nearest telephone and call 9-1-1 (if it has not already been done.)  DO NOT attempt to remove the charged wire from the patient's body by using some material that you believe is non-conductive because if you are wrong about the conductivity of the material or the voltage on the wire is so great that the material is incapable of isolating you from the energy, the action could be fatal. 

Once you have gained access to the patient, protect the airway by positioning the head (as explained earlier) and initiate CPR if necessary.

If the person is alert, following a significant shock that has left "entrance" and "exit" wounds (as described on the "Burns" page of this site,) he/she needs to be immediately evaluated by a medical professional.

If the person is alert, following a minor shock (without visible marks) it is probably okay to just observe the patient for awhile.  If, however, the person starts to act strange or complains of "general body ache" around the area that was shocked, they should be brought to a medical professional for evaluation.

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