How to treat shock after an accident.

The term “shock” is often misunderstood. It can conjure up images of someone dealing with a traumatic experience being “cured” or comforted with a cup of sugary tea! But shock in medical terms relates to a physiological and potentially life-threatening condition.

To help you understand what type of shock we are talking about, here are some pointers for understanding, recognising & managing shock.

What is Shock?

Shock is the reduction of blood & oxygen to the organs and tissues of the body due to a problem with circulation. If untreated, shock can be fatal.

What causes Shock?

Shock is usually caused by a drop in blood pressure. This reduces the amount of oxygen to your vital organs and tissues.

The drop in blood pressure can be commonly caused by high volume blood loss (hypovolaemic shock), problems with the heart (cardiogenic shock) and severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock) among other things

What are the signs & symptoms of shock?

Someone suffering from shock will likely show the following symptoms:

Pale & clammy
Light-headed/dizzy
Nausea
Irregular breathing
Confusion/anxiety
Loss of consciousness

What is the treatment for shock?

If you suspect someone is suffering from shock, you should do the following:

Call 999 and describe the symptoms to the emergency services
Try to control/stop any bleeding that may be occurring
Lay the casualty down and raise their legs – this encourages blood to flow to the brain
Keep the casualty warm, comfortable and as calm as possible
Keep monitoring their breathing until Paramedics arrive.

Conclusion

Shock is always brought on by an underlying problem or condition. Recognising the symptoms and acting quickly to get further help is vitally important if you suspect shock.

We provide more in-depth information and training regarding shock on our First Aid for Sport & Exercise (FASE 1) course (link to FASE 1). We also offer further online content at www.lubasonline.com

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/first-aid/ (Shock section)

https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-shock/basics/art-20056620

https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/shock-treatment

Medics for Sport

Check out our new network group for exchanging jobs with medics in sport.

We have now launched our new Medics for Sport network community on Facebook. Here's what it's all about and why you need to get involved!

What is Medics for Sport?

Medics for Sport is a Facebook group for anyone with a current Lubas FASE 1, FASE 2 or Sports Trauma Management qualification.

The purpose of the group is to share jobs with other medics in the network, discuss topics & get early access to our latest online content.

Confidence in Quality

All medics in the network will hold a Lubas qualification. This means when you post a job in the group, applicants will be trained to a consistent level.

By the same token, if you're interested in one of the jobs posted, you'll know what standard of training is required. It's a perfect opportunity to match jobs with applicants!

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Share your experiences, give recommendations & interact with other members in your field.

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Posts, comments and sharing information are straightforward - you just need a Facebook account.

Alternatively, just click this link which will take you straight there!

If you'd like to join but don't have a Lubas qualification, check our FASE 1, FASE 2 & Sports Trauma Management dates now.