first aid: Shock

Symptoms: Pale (or bluish) skin (in victim with dark skin examine inside of mouth and nailbeds for bluish coloration), cool skin, weakness, weak pulse; unresponsiveness and dilated pupils in later stages. Treatment: Keep victim lying down and covered enough to prevent loss of body heat. The body position should be adjusted according to the victim's injuries. Victims in shock may improve if the feet are raised 8 to 12 in. (20–30 cm). For electric shock, cut off current or separate victim from contact with electricity by using dry wood, rope, cloth, or rubber; administer CPR.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Wound
• Shock
• Severe Bleeding
• Poisoning
• Heatstroke
• Heat Exhaustion
• Frostbite
• Fractures and Joint Injuries
• Foreign Body in the Eye
• Fainting
• Drowning and Near-Drowning
• Burns
• Bites and Stings
• Asphyxia and Obstruction of Air Passages
• Bibliography

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