Electric shock
Grabbing someone who is being shocked electrocutes the rescuer too. Cutting the power comes first.
Do this immediately, in order
- Cut the power — trip the breaker or pull the plug.
- If you cannot cut it, do not touch them. Push them clear with something non-conductive — a dry wooden stick or plastic. Never anything wet.
- Call 119.
- Check consciousness and breathing. If absent, start CPR. See cpr.
- Cool burns under running water. See burns.
Why it is dangerous
- It can look like a small surface wound while causing major internal damage.
- Heart rhythm can be disturbed, with problems appearing hours later.
- There are often burns in two places — where the current entered and where it left.
That is why you must be examined even if you seem fine.
If it happened at work
- Tell the doctor you were shocked at work.
- Claim through 1588-0075 (Workers' Compensation).
- Secure site photos and witnesses.
- If safety measures were absent, you can report to 1350.
Prevention
- Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands.
- Don't overload multi-sockets.
- Don't use cables with damaged insulation.
- Take particular care with electrical devices in bathrooms and kitchens.
- Test the earth leakage breaker occasionally with its test button.
Where to go
- 119 emergency (multilingual interpretation available)
- 123 KEPCO (electrical accidents and outages)
- 1588-0075 Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labour (safety reports)
- 1577-1366 · 1345 interpretation
Questions people ask
I just felt a jolt — is that fine? Go to hospital. Heart rhythm problems can appear later.
It happened somewhere wet. Water conducts electricity well. Don't approach — trip the breaker first.
Someone is stuck to a live wire. Never touch them with your hands. Trip the breaker; if you can't, push them clear with dry wood or plastic. With high-voltage lines even approaching is dangerous — wait for 119.
The power went out. Ask 123 (KEPCO). If the problem is inside your home, check the breaker and call an electrician if something seems wrong.
Take care
If someone has contacted a high-voltage line (utility pole, pylon), never approach. Proximity alone can electrocute you. Report to 119 and 123 immediately and wait well back.
Related
cpr · burns · fire-emergency · industrial-accident-report · call-119
Source
National Fire Agency www.nfa.go.kr / As of 2026-08