If you encounter a patient with electrical burns, what is your first action?

The first action when encountering a patient with electrical burns is to ensure that the source of electricity is deactivated. This is critical because electrical currents can cause ongoing injury, not just to the skin but also internally, potentially leading to life-threatening complications such as arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, or further systemic injury. If the electrical source remains active, any attempts to provide care could put both the rescuer and the patient at risk of further injury or death from electrocution.

Once the area is safe, medical personnel can then effectively assess the patient's condition, which includes checking vital signs, administering first aid to burns, and considering positioning the patient. However, without first ensuring safety from the electrical source, any further actions could be dangerous. Deactivating the source of electricity is the priority to secure a safe environment for both the patient and the responders.