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Lightning electric shock

Authoring team

Lightning is a huge atmospheric electrical discharge. Hitting the individual results in:

  • massive DC countershock
  • death in 30% of victims

Nearly all deaths follow immediate arrest.

If there are multiple victims following a lightning shock, the unconscious should be attended first.

Reference

  1. American Heart Association. Part 10.9: electric shock and lightning strikes. Circulation. ​2005 Dec 13;112(24):​IV-154-5.

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