Someone has had an electric shock: what to do

Power off first, then help. That order saves lives.

The answer in 2 lines. Do not touch the person while they are still in contact with the electricity: switch off at the consumer unit or unplug the appliance first. Call 999 (or 112). If they are unresponsive but breathing, put them in the recovery position; if they are not breathing normally, start CPR and send someone for a defibrillator. The 999 call handler will guide you. Even if they seem fine, they should get medical advice: an electric shock can affect the heart and cause burns that are deeper than they look.

The first 3 steps

Switch off at the consumer unit or unplug the appliance, without touching the person.
Call 999 or 112. If you are deaf or cannot speak, use emergencySMS (register in advance by texting "register" to 999) or Relay UK (18000).
Follow the call handler's instructions: recovery position or CPR, and a defibrillator if one is nearby.

Stop: danger

Never touch someone still in contact with the electricity: you could be shocked too. If you cannot switch off, stand on something dry and insulating (a book, rubber mat) and push the source away with a dry wooden broom handle.
Power line down, substation or accident outdoors: high voltage can jump. Do not approach: keep well back, keep others away and call 999. Wait until the network operator confirms the power is off.
No water on an appliance or a fire that is still live.

What to do, in order

Still in contact with the electricity: cut the power or move the source away as above. Do not touch them.
Responds and breathes: keep them still and warm, cool any burns under cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes, cover loosely with cling film, and get them checked: the NHS advises going to A&E for any electrical burn.
Does not respond but breathes normally: recovery position, check breathing until help arrives.
Does not breathe normally: call 999, start CPR (chest compressions), and use a defibrillator (AED) as soon as one arrives: it tells you what to do.

Good to know

An electric shock can disturb the heart's rhythm, sometimes later on: medical advice is needed even if the person feels fine. Call NHS 111 for advice after a minor shock with no burn; go to A&E for any electrical burn.
Electrical burns are often deeper than they look.
Have the appliance or the wiring checked by a registered electrician before anyone uses it again.

Preventing the next one

RCD protection in your consumer unit cuts the power very quickly in many faults: press its test button regularly.
Keep electrical appliances away from water, and never handle plugs with wet hands.
Replace damaged cables and plugs; do not repair them with tape.
If you rent, report damaged sockets or wiring to your landlord in writing.

In Bristol, Tom hears a cry from the garage: his teenage son has touched a damaged lead on a hedge trimmer. Tom switches off at the consumer unit before going near him. His son is conscious but shaken, with a small burn on his hand. Tom cools the burn under running water for 20 minutes, covers it loosely with cling film and takes his son to A&E to be checked, as the NHS advises for electrical burns.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on 18 October 2026, for England. Confidence: high for the order of steps, 999/112, emergencySMS and Relay UK; high for burn care (NHS). No safe distance from high-voltage lines is quoted: keep as far back as you can. This guide does not replace first aid training. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis.