A couple in Yangzhou was unfortunately electrocuted to death in the flooded road. Summer is the flood season. How can we avoid the danger of electric shock on rainy days?

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According to Jimu News, on the evening of August 27, a couple was unfortunately electrocuted to death near Yuanding Road, Baoying County, Yangzhou, Jiangsu.

A merchant near the scene told reporters that the couple was electrocuted under a street light. It is said that after the husband was electrocuted, the wife tried to pull him out, and both of them were electrocuted to death. Their child was also at the scene. The merchant also said that it was raining in Yangzhou when the incident happened, and there was water on the road. The street light where the couple was electrocuted should have been installed this year and was not there last year.

At present, many local departments are investigating and verifying the cause of the accident. Whether it was caused by a street lamp leakage, we still have to wait for the final investigation results.

Why do people get electric shocks?

The reason why people get electric shocks is that the human body can conduct electricity. Although the skin's conductivity is not strong, it is very thin (excluding the thickness of subcutaneous tissue, the skin thickness is about 0.5-4mm), and it is not always dry. In addition, the organs and tissues in the human body are soaked in body fluids, which also contain a lot of metal ions, and have very good conductivity. Therefore, even if only a very weak current passes through the body, we will still feel it.

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So when does an electric current occur in a person's body? Electric current is generated only when there is a potential difference between the human body. For example, outdoors, we often see birds standing on high-voltage wires, but they are not electrocuted. This is because the two feet of the bird are always standing on the same high-voltage wire, and there is no potential difference (i.e. voltage) between the two feet, so no current can be generated. Therefore, even if the bird lands on a high-voltage wire of tens of thousands of volts, it will be safe.

Electric currents of different intensities will have different effects on the human body. Perceived current refers to the minimum current that the human body can perceive. Usually, 1mA of alternating current or 5mA of direct current can make people feel pain and numbness. Escape current refers to the maximum current that the human body can escape by itself after being electrocuted. It is usually 10mA of alternating current or 50mA of direct current. Lethal current is the minimum current that can endanger life in a short period of time. Generally speaking, 50mA of alternating current will cause ventricular fibrillation in people. If the electric shock lasts too long, it will directly lead to death.

There are three common forms of electric shock: single-phase electric shock, two-phase electric shock and step voltage electric shock.

Single-phase electric shock means that one part of the human body is in contact with the live wire (live wire) and the other part is in contact with the ground (neutral wire). Take the three sockets of the socket as an example. The left socket is connected to the neutral wire, the right socket is connected to the live wire, and the top socket is connected to the ground wire. When we use the socket, if our fingers accidentally touch the sockets on the left and right sides, single-phase electric shock may occur.

Two-phase electric shock means that different parts of the body touch two live wires at the same time. Two-phase electric shock is very dangerous, and even if the person who is electrocuted wears insulating shoes or stands on an insulating platform, it cannot provide protection.

Electric shock from stepping usually occurs when an electric wire breaks and falls to the ground. At this time, the surrounding potential distribution radiates outward from the grounding point of the wire and gradually decreases. If someone walks into this area with one foot, a potential difference will occur between his front and back feet, causing current to form in the body and cause electric shock.

It is the flood season now. How can we avoid the risk of electric shock on rainy days?

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1. Do not take shelter from the rain under transformers or overhead lines

Strong winds may cut overhead power lines, while lightning strikes and heavy rains can easily cause short circuits and discharges in bare wires or transformers, posing a threat to personal safety.

2. Do not take shelter under trees or billboards close to power lines

Once a strong wind breaks a tree branch or blows down a billboard, it is very likely to break or hang on nearby power lines. It is very dangerous for a person to come into contact with a broken power line, a wet tree or a metal billboard.

3. Don’t touch trees near power lines

As trees grow taller year by year, some power lines have been surrounded by tree canopies, and the insulation layer of the power lines may be damaged after long-term friction. When encountering thunderstorms and strong winds, the collision and friction between trees and power lines will cause short circuits and discharges.

4. Stay away from electric poles and cable wires

The upper end of the cable is very close to the power lines, and in bad weather, unexpected situations may occur that may cause the cable to become energized.

5. Don’t wade in stagnant water

Try to choose a road without water accumulation. If you must wade through water, make sure there are no wires in the water before crossing to avoid electric shock accidents caused by water conduction. If you find that a power line is broken and in water, do not handle it yourself. Immediately mark the area around it to remind other pedestrians not to approach, and call 95598 in time to notify the power supply department for emergency treatment.

6. Don’t rush to help someone who has been electrocuted and fallen to the ground

Once someone is found to have been electrocuted and fallen to the ground, emergency measures must be taken before rescuing the person or calling 120 for on-site medical assistance. Otherwise, not only will you fail to save others, but you will also get an electric shock yourself. Remember not to save people with your bare hands, and do not use wet tools or metal objects to pry open wires. You must use insulated tools to pry open the wires.

7. Don’t panic if a power line falls near you

If the power line happens to fall on the ground very close to you, do not panic, let alone run away. At this time, you should jump on one leg to leave the scene, otherwise you may get an electric shock due to the step voltage.

When someone gets an electric shock, how do you properly help them disconnect from the power source?

Once electric shock occurs, we must use the correct method to provide first aid and properly disconnect the injured person from the power source. Never fail to save others and hurt yourself.

1. If you find someone getting an electric shock, first disconnect the person from the power source quickly. Never pull the person with your hands. Quickly turn off the switch to disconnect the power source, or use a dry wooden stick or bamboo pole to pick up the wires, or use a tool with an insulated handle to cut the wires.

2. Remove the victim from the power source and quickly move him to a ventilated and dry place to lie on his back. Loosen his shirt and belt. Observe whether he is breathing and feel his carotid artery for pulsation. For those who are conscious after being electrocuted, someone should be assigned to take care of and observe them. They can resume normal activities only after their condition stabilizes.

3. If the victim's heartbeat and breathing have stopped, first aid is required. Use correct artificial respiration and chest compression methods to perform first aid on the spot. At the same time, call 120 emergency number in time to call medical personnel to rush to the scene for treatment as soon as possible.