First Aid Resources / Shock Treatment


	CPR MASKS ^ CPR FACE SHIELDS ^ CPR SUPPLIES ^ CPR FACE MASKS ^ CPR KEYCHAIN POCKET SHIELDS ^ CPR KITS ^ CPR BARRIER SHIELD

SHOCK:

BACK : MAIN

Is usually the result of a pre-existing illness or injury. Shock is a circulation problem when the body’s tissues do not get sufficient amount of blood resulting in physiological shock. Physiological shock is caused by conditions such as internal or external bleeding, burns, dehydration, cardiovascular incidents and other situations involving bodily fluids. This can be serious because it can cause the brain and other organs not to function properly. An emergency situation usually involves some degree of shock. The best first aid treatment for shock is to treat the primary injury or condition that has caused it, and then follow-up with keeping the casualty warm and handing them over to medical aid as soon as possible.

The casualty is more likely to go into shock if he/she is; diabetic, epileptic, infected with disease or infection, poisoned or overdosed on drugs. Pain, anxiety and fear don’t cause shock but they can amplify or intensify the shock.

Allergic reactions – this can affect breathing, the way the heart functions etc.
Bleeding (internal or external) – because there is not enough blood to fill blood vessels
Burns – loss of bodily fluids
Being crushed – loss of blood and not enough blood to fill blood vessels
Heart attack – the heart is weak at this point therefore is unable to pump blood properly
Spinal cord or nerve injuries – the brain can no longer control the size of the blood vessels and the blood does not get to the tissues the way it’s supposed to.

Symptoms of Shock	Signs of Shock
Thirsty	Level of consciousness changes
Dizzy	Irregular breathing
Afraid	Discoloration in lips, tongue, earlobes, fingernails
Confused	Skin discoloration
Weak
Anxious
Restless
Disoriented

How to minimize shock:

• Give first aid to the injury or illness that first caused the shock in order to eliminate or minimize shock
• Try to keep casualty calm and constantly reassure them
• Be gentle with the casualty to minimize pain which minimizes chances of getting shock
• Loosen any tight clothing (collar, sleeves, belt)
• Make sure casualty is at a comfortable temperature
• Moisten casualty’s lips if they seem dry but take care not to give anything to drink or eat as this may further complicate the original or underlying injury or illness
• Place casualty in the best position based on their condition
• Continue to give care, reassure, be calm until handing the situation over to the paramedics.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

The information contained in this document has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable at the time and is presented here as a study aid and for general information use only. This information is not intended to replace or supercede the information or procedures outlined in your first aid textbook, other officially issued study materials or government published acts or legislative documents.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, the authors are not responsible for any loss, liability, damage or injury that may be suffered or incurred by any person in connection with the information contained on this site, or by anyone who receives first aid treatment from a reader or user of this information.