First Aid for Shock
Here's what to do



Giving First Aid for Shock and saving someone's life is the priority over dealing with a non life-threatening injury that may have caused shock in the first place.




The first step in First Aid For Shock is

  • Call emergency services (either you or someone else, if there is someone available) In Australia 000 America 911 the emergency services number in your country may be different.
Ambulance
  • The most important thing to do is to try to maintain blood flow to the body's trunk and head. This is done by lying the person flat and raising their legs above their hips (6-12 inches or 15-30 cm). Provided they do not have injuries to their legs such as broken bones or the like.
  • If the bleeding is obvious then stop it with pressure. Either with direct pressure with a gloved hand if possible or with padding. If you can use padding and a bandage to apply pressure to the area or improvise with such things as towels or a jacket that can be used to create compression. This advise maybe be unnecessary but were possible use clean materials to help reduce the risk of infection to the person. For further information on First Aid for Bleeding click here.
  • If you can see the blood oozing through what you have applied then apply more padding and bandaging. Do not remove the original compression as this may remove some of the clotting that the body has started to create at the site and will increase the flow of blood and then you are back at square one.
  • Then consider warmth. Cover the person with a blanket to keep the body from losing what heat it has.
  • Encourage rest and reassure the person that help is on the way.

Now if the person becomes (or is) Unconscious:-

  • If an extra person is available get them to call emergency services (If you have contacted them previously then advise them of the persons decreased condition).
  • Assess ABC. AIRWAY, BREATHING, CIRCULATION - if the person goes into or is in cardiac arrest move to performing CPR.
recovery position
  • Being able to breathe takes priority over any other treatment so if they are struggling to breath place them in the recovery position. If they maintain their breathing continue other treatment that is needed with the person in this position.


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Maybe you need to put together a First Aid Kit, for your home, car, boat, motorcycle or next backpacking or hiking trip. Then checkout our First Aid Kit Checklists.

































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