FIRST AID TREATMENT FOR SHOCK : Some degree of shock is produced in most accidents. Shock is associated with changes in the system of blood circulation varying from temporary weakness to complete failure. Shock may arise due to loss of blood caused by injury or fall in blood pressure without loss of blood.
Shock may be present even in cases where the victim simply suffers from severe and sudden fear, but no physical injury. In some laboratory accidents, such as explosions or burns from splashes of concentrated sulphuric acid, the effects of shock may be more serious than the injuries themselves. Shock varies enormously in its severity and can be fatal. Sometimes the effects are delayed and shock may not be apparent until sometime after the accident.
The chief symptoms of shock are as follows:
1. Profuse sweating
2. Paleness, cold skin and rapid breathing
3. An increased pulse rate or a weak pulse
4. Trembling, faintness, blurred vision, giddiness
5. A feeling of sickness and vomiting
6. Anxiety
If the victim is seriously injured, it is advisable to get him/her to the hospital at once. Do not waste time, as an immediate blood transfusion may be required if his/her life is to be saved.
In other cases, the following treatment should be given:
(1) Lie or sit the victim down, if necessary, and deal with the injury or cause of shock. Protect the casualty against cold by wrapping him/her in a blanket, but do not use hot water bottles or electric fires as this draws blood from the vital organs to the skin.
(2) Loosen ties, belts or other tight clothing at the neck, chest and waist.
(3) Raise the casualty's legs, if possible, to bring more blood back into the brain. If the casualty is sitting down, e.g., after fainting, it may be more convenient to get him/her to lower his/her head between the knees.
(4) Keep the casualty still and reassure him/her.
(5) Do not move the casualty unnecessarily.
(6) If the casualty complains of thirst, moisten his/her lips with water. Remember, a seriously injured person may require an anaesthetic immediately on arrival at hospital; so, do not give him/her anything to drink until you are satisfied that any injury is only trivial, e.g. faintness or dizziness. Do not allow the victim to drink alcohol and never give tea, coffee or any other liquid to a person who is unconscious or is suspected of having internal injuries. If the patient has anything in him/her digestive system such as tea, either the anaesthetic, if administered later at the hospital, may be refused or it could cause vomiting. In either case, it makes a smooth surgical operation quite difficult.