Electric shocks, anybody??

[rosalin]

in case a person recieves a high voltage electric shock, which organ or tissue is likely to be worst affected?

[MrMistery]

i'm guessing the heart right? Or maybe the brain?

[mith]

I'd go with heart too

[rosalin]

i thought of the brain too. but most of the time u see people knocked unconsious and getting CPR (in movies)
what makes U think the heart? because of the autorhythmicity or something? all i know is that the blood gets ionised and the nuerons sort of short circuit when u get a high volt shock.

[MrMistery]

the heart depends on cells to transmit their potential from one to another. If the pacemaker cells get damaged(could happen if depolarisation is induced in the refractary period) the impulse won't get from the sinoatrial node to the rest of the heart. The heart simply stops. Just a hypothesis...

[rosalin]

maybe.but if the heart stops resuscitation is possible, isn't it ? in case the brain is damaged won't that be more or less permanent ?

[AstusAleator]

A lesser, but potentially hazardous effect might be the concentration of gasses and ions near the points of contact with the electrodes. These might result in blood clots or poisoning, and if in the wrong area of the body, could be serious. (all hypothetically, i'm no MD)

[Dr.Stein]

Because at least 80% of our body consists of water, the electric shock will be harmful to the entire part of our body because water is a good conductor, added by ionic substances inside. When a part got shocked, the stimulus will rapidly spread to the whole body.

[kjle]

Being an electrician, I've been shocked a number of times. Now we're not talking 1000's of volts, but 120 is a pretty good kick. The worst shock I've had, strangely I felt it most in my joints. Specifically my knees. I don't really know why this is.

Upon being shocked, the area that is hit, obviously has the most immediate pain. But I feel it in the joints for some time after. Also, the tissue where I get shocked feels burnt.

[Amrik]

I got a shock on my fingertip 4 - 5 days ago... it was worst then yours kyle 220v! Damn..i was shocked (obvioulsy) but it was just my fingertips nothing much The Hand jerked off imedialtely (Reflex action)

[kjle]

Ya I've had 220, it sucks...But I usually get shocked with 120