Shock
Shock is a life-threatening condition and should be treated as top priority, second only to attending to safety, an obstructed airway, absence of breathing, cardiac arrest or severe life threatening bleeding.
Shock is a deteriorating condition that does not allow a casualty to recover without active medical intervention.
Causes of shock
As a first aider attending a casualty, you should ask yourself the following:
Shock is a life-threatening condition and should be treated as top priority, second only to attending to safety, an obstructed airway, absence of breathing, cardiac arrest or severe life threatening bleeding.
Shock is a deteriorating condition that does not allow a casualty to recover without active medical intervention.
Causes of shock
Loss of blood - this is the most common cause of shock. Blood loss may occur immediately or may be delayed. The blood loss could be either seen externally or internally within a particular system or organ. The greater the loss of blood, the greater the chance of developing shock. A slow, steady loss of blood can also produce shock. Abdominal emergencies - Burst appendix, perforated intestine or stomach, intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis. Loss of body fluids - May be due to extensive burns, dehydration, severe vomiting or diarrhoea. Heart attack - Failure of the heart to function due to an obstructed blood supply to the heart itself can produce shock. Sepsis or toxicity - Discharge of toxins produced by bacteria in the blood stream can produce shock. Spinal injury - Due to the injury and the reaction of the nervous system. Crush injuries - Injuries following explosions, building collapses etc. |
As a first aider attending a casualty, you should ask yourself the following:
- Does the injury appear serious?
- If I don’t do anything to help, is the casualty likely to become worse?
- If the casualty’s condition worsens, is death a possibility?
Skin Condition | Pink, warm,dry |
Pale, cold, wet |
Conscious State | Alert and aware of time and place |
Altered, confused, aggressive |
Pulse Adult Child Infant |
Per Minute 60 – 100 90 – 130 120 – 160 |
Rapid – above upper limits |
Respiration Adult Child Infant |
Per Minute 12 – 20 16 – 25 20 – 30 |
Rapid – above upper limits |
- pale, cool, clammy skin
- thirst
- rapid, shallow breathing
- rapid, weak pulse
- nausea and/or vomiting
- evidence of loss of body fluids, or high temperature if sepsis present
- collapse and unconsciousness
- progressive ‘shutdown’ of body’s vital functions
- call ‘000’ for an ambulance
- put on disposable gloves if available
- control any bleeding
- if conscious, lie the casualty down with legs elevated and bent at the knees
- if unconscious, recovery position with support under the legs to elevate them
- reassurance
- maintain body temperature, but DO NOT overheat
- treat any other injuries