   Did I just get electrocuted?
  I'm in my university's computer lab doing some homework on Maple.  I felt a burning sensation in my knee and pulled it back out of reflex.  I discovered that there was an exposed electrical outlet near my knee.  I feel kind of lightheaded, and there's a little blood on my knee (which was already scabbed).I think I might have gotten electrocuted, but I always imagined that 120v AC would seriously injure me or something.  Does anybody know if this sounds like electrocution?Also, should I see a doctor even though I feel fine?   
  Usually when people mention 'electrocution' they mean death by electricity.You could of just rubbed your scab off and then the rubbing of the skin under the scab caused the blood. A light head can be the result of many other things.It's possible, but doubtable since you need to actually stick two conductable objects in the two prongs of an outlet to cause flow.   ;Quote:Original post by lolI think I might have gotten electrocuted, but I always imagined that 120v AC would seriously injure me or something.  Does anybody know if this sounds like electrocution?The effects of electrocution depend entirely on where you were shocked, some parts of your body have more electrical resistance than others and 120v is generally harmless(but still hurts) unless it flows across your heart or is sustained long enough for physical burns.EDIT:Theirs a high probability that the cut was caused by your reflex action hitting your leg against something and not the electricity itself.   ;  Insert disclaimer about not being a doctor here. However, as someone who's gotten a dose or two of building current, if you'd gotten hit by it, you'd know it. It's a very distinctive feeling.   ;Quote:Original post by SiCraneInsert disclaimer about not being a doctor here. However, as someone who's gotten a dose or two of building current, if you'd gotten hit by it, you'd know it. It's a very distinctive feeling.Gotta agree here.  Being shocked is usually pretty easy to recognize.  Of course, I once was fiddling about with a 5V DC power supply or something and had current running through my lip for a second or so without really even realizing it.  120V would probably be hard to mistake though...As for having to actually stick a prong in the two terminals, that's not entirely necessary.  All you're doing when you do that is providing a way for power to go from high voltage (one prong) to ground (the other).  Your body can suffice for that just as well, it just has higher resistance.Also, having said that, you'd probably need a ton more than 120V to kill you from being shocked at the knee.  The current would just flow down from there, never hitting your brain or heart.  You should be perfectly fine, even if that was what really happened.  Anyway, I'd wager it was just an accidental scab removal, not electrical shock.Edit: My little brother got a nasty shock from an outlet once.  The doctor told us that he wasn't dead right after that, then he'd probably be fine and there wasn't much they could do anyway.  I wouldn't worry with the doctor visit.   ;  I like the tingles...   ;  I got shocked once when I was unplugging my guitar amp. I held the prongs when I was pulling it out (dumb move). It shook me and felt weird, but I was okay.   ;  I was setting up for an outdoor concert the other day as part of my job, and because it was such a nice day, I decided to go barefoot on the grass.  I went to plug an XLR (microphone) cable into the back of our powered mixer, and I touched the metal protective case that the mixer was sitting on.  I felt my entire hand go numb and I nearly fell over, it was the craziest feeling.  I put my shoes back on after that.   ;Quote:Original post by theMadHatterUsually when people mention 'electrocution' they mean death by electricity.Maybe he did die, but since it happened in the computer lab he's inside the computer now.If you can hear me typing, give me some kind of sign!   ;  Same here.  I was plugging in a radio and was touching the prongs.  My body did this 'numb vibration' for a second.  I was like 6 back then, but never forgot the feeling.   