How to Evaluate Shock in First

How to Treat Shock

Shock refers to a potentially life-threatening medical condition that occurs when a person’s body does not have enough blood flow. If this happens, the body’s cells and organs can’t obtain the oxygen and other nutrients needed to function, which might lead to permanent tissue damage and possibly even death. To help you evaluate whether someone is experiencing shock, learn to recognize the signs of shock, how to administer first aid, and how to prevent this condition from occurring in the first place.

Shock

Shock (not to be confused with emotional shock) is a life-threatening condition which happens when the body isn’t getting enough flow of blood.

This means that the cells don’t get enough oxygen to enable them to work properly, which can lead to damage of the vital organs like the brain and the heart.

Shock can be caused by anything that reduces the flow of blood, including:

• heart problems, such as a heart attack, or heart failure

• severe internal or external bleeding

• loss of body fluids, from dehydration, diarrhoea, vomiting or burns

• severe allergic reactions and severe infection

If someone has any of the conditions above, which can reduce the circulation or blood flow, they could develop shock, so you may need to treat them for this condition as well.

What to look for - shock

If you think somebody could be suffering from shock, there are seven key things to look for:

1. Paleness of the face (pallor)

2. Cold, clammy skin

3. Fast, shallow breathing

4. Fast, weak pulse

5. Yawning or sighing

6. Confusion

7. Loss of response (in extreme cases)

What you need to do - shock

If they are showing signs of shock:

• Lay them down with their head low and legs raised and supported, to increase the flow of blood to their head. Do not raise an injured leg.

• Call 999 or 112 for medical help and say you think they are in shock, and explain what you think caused it (such as bleeding or a heart attack).

• Loosen any tight clothing around the neck, chest and waist to make sure it doesn’t constrict their blood flow

• Fear and pain can make shock worse, by increasing the body’s demand for oxygen, so while you wait for help to arrive, it’s important to keep them comfortable, warm and calm. Do this by covering them with a coat or blanket and comforting and reassuring them

• Keep checking their breathing, pulse and level of response.

• If they become unresponsive at any point, open their airway, check their breathing, and prepare to treat someone who has become unresponsive.