rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft

On 6 Sep 2007 17:39:18 GMT, wrote:

>In Joseph Ashwood wrote:
>> "HiC" wrote in message
>> news: @ ...
>>> I've heard of performers being electrocuted by a mic. If someone is
>>> performing on a covered stage when it's raining - not necessarily with
>>> lightning - or any other time for that matter - what should be
>>> checked/in place to make sure there's no danger to the performer(s)?
>>> (Other than not performing) Asked another way, what potentially COULD
>>> create a dangerous situation that some flunkies involved with stage
>>> operations/sound who don't know better might not check or just might
>>> fall between the cracks even with pros?
>>>
>>> If someone doesn't like to just assume "it's all taken care of" and
>>> wants to be sure a loved one or friend who's performing is safe, who
>>> should they typically talk to and what questions should they ask and
>>> get clear answers to and/or what should they personally inspect?
>>>
>>> Any other stage safety issues that experience has taught you to be
>>> aware of?
>>
>>
>> For the most paranoid, see all those cables? They contain electricity.
>>
>> It is the volts that hurt, but the amps that kill. A phantom powered
>> microphone should not have much in the way of amperage, worst case, go
>> wireless they simply don't have the power to begin with. the real concern
>> really is every amplifier, every speaker, every speaker cable, it only takes
>> half an amp to kill a human,
>
>It takes a lot less than that - .05A across the heart can kill you,
>and .1A across the heart will most likely cause destructive ventricular
>fibrillation.


Open heart surgery, defibrillator paddles are 2" in diameter and
operate at 2mA.