What should you do if you cannot shut off power while assisting an electrical shock victim?

When dealing with a victim of electrical shock, it is crucial to ensure safety for both the victim and the rescuer. Separating the victim from the source of electricity using a nonconductive object is the safest course of action if power cannot be shut off. Nonconductive materials, like wood or rubber, do not conduct electricity and can help create a barrier between the victim and the electrical source, reducing the risk of the rescuer being shocked while attempting to assist.

If you were to wait for the power to be turned off, you could potentially allow the victim to remain in danger for an extended period. Calling for backup could also be a wise step, but without immediate action to separate the victim, any help might arrive too late. Administering CPR directly without ensuring that the individual is no longer in contact with the live electrical source could put both the victim and the rescuer at risk of further electrocution. Therefore, using a nonconductive object to separate the victim ensures that the rescue effort is conducted safely and effectively.