Llighting strikes Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Llighting strikes - Assignment Example Lightning strikes do not burn the flesh since the contact with charge is too brief to cause such heating. Instead, lightning strikes affect the human body by electropolation – a process in which cells in the human body produce holes in their cell membranes. Consequently, human muscles and nerves are vastly disrupted by lightning strikes (Ritenour, Morton and McManus). In addition, lightning strikes tend to induce electrical surges within the human body particularly in the nervous system leading to cardiac arrest. Moreover, human hearing is directly affected by the thunder shock wave produced by lightning strikes (Ritenour, Morton and McManus). Lightning strikes produce diverse cardiac effects ranging from changes in the electrocardiograph (ECG) patterns to cardiac seizures. The victim of a lightning strike may be suffering from cardiac contusion, myocardial infarction, stroke, arrhythmia among other problems (McIntyre, Simpson and Redfearn). Lightning strikes tend to depolarise the myocardium leading to thoracic muscle spasm and respiratory failure as well as asystole (American Heart Association). In case of a lightning strike, the paramedic should take to resuscitation as soon as possible since most lightning strike patients develop respiratory problems. If back injuries are present, it is best to stabilise the victim’s head before proceeding to artificial resuscitation. In addition, it is possible that the victim will have altered levels of consciousness that may lead to ventilator impairment. Often the fundamental cause of ventilator impairment is a blocked pharynx due to a relaxed tongue. The paramedic must check for such blockages immediately after which resuscitation should be continued (Medscape). The first aid team on the scene must initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the earliest since most lightning strike victims die as a result of cardiopulmonary failures. When providing help to a