SHOCK – What to look for & How to Help
Shock is one of those things that all of us will experience sometime in our life and yet many of us have forgotten that it also can be a deadly scenario. “Shock Always Has A Cause” and that’s one thing that we can use to help us treat it, once you figure out what has caused it “Fix it” and shock will begin to lessen.
Shock happens when your body goes through a sudden internal or external event causing the body to demand more oxygen rich blood. In doing so the body will focus the remaining oxygen rich blood it has into key body parts to sustain your life and yet leave others unattended. Any vital organ which does not have enough blood or oxygen will eventually begin to fail. This is why “Shock Can Be Deadly”.
“Anyone can go into Shock, even those rescuing the casualties”
To make it easy just remember that it “Doesn’t Matter what caused the Casualty to go into shock” once you figure out what caused it “Fix it”.
Shock can often be caused by:
-Excessive Blood Loss – A Weak Heart – Extensive Burns – Infection – Excessive Fluid Loss – Fear or Anxiety – and many more
What to look for:
Altered Personality – Extreme Anxiety – Cool / Clammy Skin – Pale Skin tone – Confusion – Excessive thirst – Rapid Breathing – Nausea / Vomiting / weakness – Drowsiness.
How to help:
-Move or Remove the casualty “If possible” from the area that may be causing the shock.
-Assess the victim and find the root of the cause “Shock Always Has A Cause”
-Offer comfort / warmth and reassurance
-Treat the cause of the shock and follow your local emergency response techniques.
Shock Treatments:
– Altered Personality / Consciousness – Offer Comfort, warmth and reassurance while guiding the casualty away from danger or harm. Never restrain a casualty as they may lash out, find a position of comfort and wait for medical help to arrive or transport the patient using 911 recommendations to your local medical facility.
– Extreme Anxiety – Offer Comfort, warmth and reassurance, respect the casualties personal comfort level’s and boundaries and assist the casualty in breathing exercises to help reduce anxiety. Be patient and monitor the casualties breathing, if their breathing becomes altered or they are uncontrollable contact 911 for help, “211” in Alberta is also another hot key number to use if you need to talk to a qualified mental health professional.
– Blood Loss – Immediately Apply Direct Pressure to the wound with a clean non stick dressing, if bleeding persists and a pressure bandage around the dressing to secure a “Even” Pressure “Not tight” You do not want to “stop blood flow”, If bleeding persists add pressure points “The Pressure Points are in your Joints!” Place a rolled up piece of dressing or an object large enough to fit into the joint above the wound and have the casualty press the joint inward against the artery’s “This will help slow the blood flow”. “Only” Apply a Tourniquet under the advisement of a 911 dispatcher.
We never know what can happen, its always good to be prepared and have the knowledge we need to help those who need it.
“This material is for information purposes only and is taken from The Canadian Red Cross / Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation & Alberta Health Services. This information should not be used in place of medical, Technical advice, instructor, and/or treatment. If you have questions, speak to your local Physician or Safety Training Facility.”
Just Remember:
Protect Yourself!!! Call 911!!! Don’t Waste Time!!!
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