Shock
What are the warning signs?
Shock occurs from a lack of oxygenated blood to the brain and can be a life threatening situation. The symptoms may include; a rapid, but weak pulse, having pale blue or grey, cold, clammy skin, feeling constant thirst or nausea, having rapid shallow breathing, or having the victim become unconscious. If any of these signs and symptoms seem prominent than it is important to apply the correct treatment to the victim. How to save the victim? If it looks like a person is going into shock then the first step is to call 000. It is then vital to treat any burns or severe bleeding that the victim may possess. Then it is important that you lie the person down (if possible) and elevate their feet about 30cm unless there seems to be a head, neck, or back injury. While doing this it is important not to raise the persons head and to turn them on their side if they are vomiting or bleeding from the mouth. The focus should then go to loosening any tight clothing and keeping the casualty warm with a blanket or coat, as their body temperature may drop when going into shock. Constantly reassure the person until emergency help comes, but don't give the person anything to eat or drink as they will probably be going into hospital. If the person is not breathing, or their breathing seems dangerously weak then CPR should be started. Apply the appropriate method of CPR for children or adults and follow the procedure of thirty compressions then two breaths, continuing until emergency services or someone better then you arrives. |