Chennai Man’s Heroic Rescue of Electrocuted Child Shows Why CPR Knowledge Matters
On what began as an ordinary morning in Chennai’s Arumbakkam, 24-year-old Kannan Thamizhselvan was on his way to work when he noticed something terrifying: a child had collapsed into a pool of water on the road and wasn’t moving.
The road was flooded from the previous night’s rain, and it didn’t take Kannan long to realise what had happened. The water was live with electricity from an underground cable leak — and the child was being electrocuted.
In that crucial moment, Kannan didn’t wait for someone else to act. He stopped his two-wheeler, kicked off his slippers, and rushed barefoot into the water. Carefully avoiding the wire, he pulled the unconscious boy out. Then, remembering CPR techniques he’d once watched online, he began resuscitating the child right there on the road.
Thanks to his quick thinking and fearless action, the boy, 9-year-old Jaden Ryan, survived and is now safe.
What to do if you see someone being electrocuted
Kannan’s brave act saved a life, but not everyone may know how to respond in such situations. If you ever witness someone being electrocuted, whether through a live wire, appliance, or submerged cable, here’s what experts recommend:
1. Do not touch the person directly: The first instinct might be to grab and pull them away, but don’t. If the person is still in contact with the live source, touching them could electrocute you as well. Electricity flows through conductors, including the human body.
Instead, try to turn off the power source if it’s accessible (main switch, circuit breaker, etc.). If that’s not possible, use a non-conductive object like a wooden stick, a rubber item, or a dry cloth to push the person away from the source.
2. Avoid water at all costs: Water conducts electricity. If the electrocution is happening in a waterlogged area (like in Kannan’s case), don’t step into the water, especially with shoes that conduct electricity or barefoot.
In such cases, look for rubber footwear or an insulated platform and use extreme caution. Never enter without first cutting off the power supply.
3. Call for emergency help immediately: Dial your local emergency number or 108 in India. Even if the person appears conscious, electric shock can have delayed effects on the heart or nervous system.
While help is on the way, keep the person still and check for breathing and pulse. If trained or if you’ve watched tutorials, like Kannan perform CPR if they’re unresponsive.
4. Look for signs of shock or burns
Even a brief shock can cause internal injuries or heart rhythm issues. After the person is safe from the electric source:
- Watch for signs like pale or clammy skin, confusion, or shallow breathing.
- Do not apply ointments or touch severe burns. Cover lightly with a clean cloth and wait for medical professionals.
5. Be aware of your surroundings
Electrocution incidents often occur during monsoons or around waterlogged areas with faulty infrastructure. If you live in flood-prone areas:
Avoid wading through stagnant water, especially near electric poles. Report exposed wires or sparking poles to local authorities immediately.
Edited by Leila Badyari
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