An electric shock occurs when a human or animal body comes into contact with a source of voltage. An electric shock is usually painful and can be lethal. However the voltage level is not directly proportional to the level of injury or danger of death. The factors affecting the severity of the shock are the amount of current flowing through the body, path of the current through the body and length of time the body is in the circuit. Severity of the shock may also be affected by:
- The voltage .
- The presence of moisture in the environment.
- The phase of the heart cycle when the shock occurs.
- The general health of the person prior to the shock.
- Large amounts of electric currents through the heart can cause cardiac arrest.
