SHOCK        

What happens in Shock ?

Shock is caused by many types of severe injury it is due to failure of the circulation Shock is caused by a marked loss of body fluid. This may be in the form of internal or external bleeding, or it may be blood plasma loss as a result of damage done by a serious burn Body fluid loss causes the heart to beat faster and weaker, and the blood pressure fails. As a consequence, the entire body receives inadequate supplies of oxygen.

Immediate First-Aid
First aid should be given to prevent shock even if the accident victim looks and feels fairly fit. But always treat for breathing, bleeding, burns and fractures first A badly shocked victim will look pale, bluish, cold and sweaty and will also be mentally slow. Breathing will be shallow and the pulse will be fast and feeble

• Always attend to major injuries first
• Minimize shock by laying the patient down at site of accident, keeping his head low and legs raised
• Loosen tight clothing and keep lightly covered
• If possible, treat patient on the spot. Lay him down with head low and legs raised
• Reduce movement to a minimum
• Reassure the patient; fright worsens the condition
• Keep the patient warm
• Loosen tight clothing
• Dress wounds with clean, dry material
• If injuries allow, put patient in recovery position
• Stay with the patient
• Call for medical help