In order to determine the amount of current passing through one's body in case of electrocution, one has to use the formula I= E/R, where I means electrical current, E stands for voltage and R for the resistance of the body. Logically, every body has its own degree of resistance, but there has been established an average for categories of persons. For instance, for children an upper limit of 5 milliamperes is somehow safe, although yet very possible to produce shock and cause violent jumps of the body.

An anterior article listed the negative effects that are triggered by an exposure to electric current. The longer the contact, the greater the injuries. Hence, here are the main steps you have to taken when giving first aid to electrocution victims:
* never directly touch the victim, because he/she might still be in contact with the electrical system and therefore transmit electricity towards you;
* shut off the power source from the fuse box/service panel or by pulling the plug from the receptacle;
* using a non-conductive object such a wooden broom, a rubber mat or a plastic chair, pull or push the victim away from the power source;
* do not touch the source of current directly;
* call 911 if the victim stopped breathing and then start CPR (if you know how to do it).

If the accident occurs within an industrial environment or somewhere in contact to power lines, the recommendation is to not attempt a direct rescue. Within these situations, the current can be of such high voltage that it can jump beyond the victim and hit the rescuer as well. What you need to do in these situations is to call the fire department and keep other persons at safe distance.

Therefore, the mainstay in the first aid measures towards such patients will be to prevent further damage from electric current as well as to support the heart and lung functioning in the event of a failure in these organs.