Shock is a very serious syndrome that requires immediate medical attention, as the victim can risk dying due to the temporary blockage of normal blood circulation which, in turn, cuts off the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cells and to the organs. It is therefore necessary to act promptly to submit the subject to emergency medical treatment. Estimates indicate that as many as 20% of people suffering from shock do not survive. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of permanent organ damage and even death. Anaphylaxis or allergic reactions can also cause circulatory shock, even death, if not dealt with quickly.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Initial Care
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
Before starting any type of treatment it is important to know what you are facing. The signs and symptoms of shock are as follows:
- Cold, clammy skin, which may appear pale or grayish.
- Profuse sweating or clammy skin.
- Bluish lips and nails.
- Fast and weak heartbeats.
- Accelerated and shallow breaths.
- Dilated pupils.
- Arterial hypotension.
- Limited or no urine production.
- The victim is conscious but exhibits an altered mental state, as if disoriented, confused, anxious, agitated, dizzy, dizzy or weak, fatigued or unconscious.
- People may experience chest pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- Loss of consciousness.
Step 2. Call 911 or the ambulance
Shock is a problem that requires urgent medical attention from experienced personnel and hospitalization.
- It is possible to save the victim's life, if you make sure that medical personnel are on their way, while putting first aid measures in place.
- If you can, try to stay on the phone with the emergency service operator to keep him updated on the victim's condition.
- Follow the instructions given by the operator until the ambulance arrives.
Step 3. Check the victim's breathing and blood circulation
Make sure he has a clear airway and is able to breathe; it also checks your heart rate.
- Look at the subject's chest to see if it rises and falls; place a cheek near his mouth to check for breathing.
- Continue to monitor your breathing at least every 5 minutes, even if you are able to breathe normally on your own.
Step 4. Also check your blood pressure if you can
If you have the equipment to measure blood pressure, and you can use it without the risk of causing harm to the subject, know that this is another useful information for the 118 operator.
Step 5. Practice cardiopulmonary resuscitation if needed
Make sure you only perform CPR if you have been trained. An inadequately educated person could cause serious harm to the victim.
- Only trained people can give CPR to adults, children and infants, because there is a risk of causing serious injury or even death if you do not have the appropriate knowledge.
- It is important to follow the protocol implemented by the Red Cross to perform CPR correctly. Individuals authorized to do so must be familiar with new rescue methods and procedures, as well as use the defibrillator, if available, when handling such situations.
Step 6. Put the victim in the shock position
If she is conscious and has no head, leg, neck or spine injuries, you can proceed by placing her in this position, also called Trendelenburg.
- Have the person lie on their back and raise their legs about 30 cm.
- Don't lift her head.
- If, with the legs raised, the victim feels pain or worries about doing possible harm, avoid lifting them and leave the person in the supine position.
Step 7. Do not move the victim, but try to take care of them by leaving them where they are, unless the surrounding area is dangerous
- For safety reasons, it may be necessary to move it to remove it from a dangerous situation; in this case use the utmost caution. For example, it may need to be removed from the road, in the event of a car accident, or from an unstable structure that can collapse or explode.
- Prevent the person in shock from eating or drinking anything.
Step 8. Get first aid if you notice any visible injuries
If the victim has suffered trauma, it may be necessary to stop bleeding from a wound or provide first aid for a fracture.
Apply some pressure to any bleeding wounds and bandage them using clean materials if you can
Step 9. Keep the victim warm
Cover it with any available materials such as first aid (isothermal) towels, jackets, sheets or blankets.
Step 10. Make the subject as comfortable and comfortable as possible
Loosen clothes that are too constricting, such as a belt, pants buttoned at the waist, or any garment that tightens around the chest area.
- Loosen his shirt collar, tie, and unbutton or cut any clothes that are too tight.
- Undo his shoes too and remove any tight or constricting jewelry or jewels from his wrists or neck.
Part 2 of 3: Monitor the Victim until Help Arrives
Step 1. Stay next to the victim until the ambulance arrives
Do not wait for symptoms to worsen to assess your condition, but start the first treatments immediately and pay attention if the clinical picture worsens or improves.
- Talk to her in a calm tone. If she is conscious, it may be helpful to talk to her to better understand her state of health.
- Continue to update the 118 operator on the phone about the victim's state of consciousness, breathing and heartbeat.
Step 2. Continue to take care of the subject
Make sure the airways remain clear, monitor breathing and check blood circulation by counting beats.
He constantly checks his state of consciousness every few minutes until help arrives
Step 3. Prevent possible choking
If the victim is vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, and there is no fear of a spinal injury, turn them on their side to avoid choking on their own vomit.
- If you suspect that she may have suffered spinal injuries and is vomiting or bleeding from her mouth, you should clear her airways, if possible, without moving her head, back or neck.
- Place your hands on either side of her face, gently lift her jaw, and open her mouth with your fingertips to open her airways. Be very careful not to move her head and neck.
- If you are unable to open her airways, have someone help you roll the victim to one side to avoid choking.
- One person should lock the victim's head, neck and back so that they move as one, while another person should gently turn the victim to one side.
Part 3 of 3: Treating Anaphylaxis
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction
The reaction usually begins a few seconds or minutes after exposure to the allergen. Symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction are as follows:
- Pale skin, with areas that may also become red, hives, itching and swelling on the site exposed to the allergen.
- Feeling of heat.
- Difficulty swallowing, feeling of having a lump in your throat.
- Difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or discomfort.
- Swelling of the tongue and mouth area, nasal congestion and swelling of the face.
- Vertigo, slight lightheadedness, anxiety and babble.
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Palpitations, weak and rapid heartbeat.
Step 2. Call 911 or the local emergency number
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate expert medical attention and, sometimes, even hospitalization.
- Anaphylaxis can lead to death if not managed immediately. Stay connected on the phone with the 118 operator for further instructions as you implement first aid measures.
- Don't delay treatment to seek emergency medical attention, even if your symptoms seem mild to you. In some cases, the reaction may be mild at first but worsen rapidly over the next few hours, until death.
- The first reaction typically consists of swelling and itching in the area exposed to the allergen. If it was an insect bite, the reaction is mostly skin. If, on the other hand, it is an allergy to drugs or food, swelling probably begins to form in the mouth and throat area and can also quickly block the airways and prevent breathing.
Step 3. Get an epinephrine injection
Ask the victim if he has an epinephrine auto-injector, such as an EpiPen, with him. In this case the injection is given in the thigh.
- Epinephrine injection is a life-saving dose of adrenaline to slow the immune reaction and is often given to people who have known food allergies and bee stings.
- However, keep in mind that the injection is not enough to completely stop the allergic reaction. It is important to proceed with the next treatment.
Step 4. Talk to the victim in order to calm and reassure them
Try to understand what may have been the cause of the reaction.
- The most common allergies that can cause severe anaphylactic reactions are bee or wasp stings, insect bites such as fire ants, certain foods including peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, and soy or wheat products.
- If the person is unable to speak or respond, check to see if they have a medical alarm bracelet or necklace or if they have a certificate in their wallet.
- If the cause of the allergic reaction is an insect or bee sting, scrape the sting of the skin with something solid, such as a fingernail, key, or card such as a credit card.
- Do not remove the stinger with tweezers, otherwise you risk squeezing more venom and causing it to penetrate further into the skin.
Step 5. Proceed with measures to prevent shock
Have the victim lie down on the ground or floor. Do not put a pillow under her head as it may interfere with normal breathing.
- Don't give her anything to eat or drink.
- Raise her feet about 12 inches off the ground and cover her with something warm, like a coat or blanket.
- Loosen constricting clothing such as belts, ties, pants with buttons, sashes or shirts that are tight at the neck, shoes, jewelry, and jewelry around the neck or wrists.
- If you suspect that she has suffered a head, neck, back or spine injury, you should not lift her legs, but just leave the victim lying on the ground or floor.
Step 6. Turn the subject to his side if he starts to vomit
To prevent choking and keep your airways clear, turn him to his side if you notice him starting to vomit or see traces of blood in his mouth.
Take all precautions to prevent further damage if you are concerned that you may have a spinal injury. Get help from someone to gently roll the victim to one side of their body trying to keep their head, neck and back perfectly aligned as much as possible
Step 7. Continue to keep your airways clear and constantly monitor your breathing and heart rate
Even if the victim can breathe on her own, continue to monitor her breathing and heart rate every few minutes.
Every two or three minutes also check his state of consciousness until help arrives
Step 8. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if needed
However, be sure to perform CPR only if you have been properly trained. Failure to do so could cause serious harm to the victim.
- Only trained people can give CPR to adults, children and infants, because there is a risk of causing serious injury or even death if you do not have the appropriate knowledge.
- It is important to follow the protocol implemented by the Red Cross to perform CPR correctly. Persons authorized to do so must be familiar with new methods and updated procedures, as well as use the defibrillator, if available, when handling such situations.
Step 9. Stay with the victim until the ambulance arrives
Keep talking to her calmly and reassuringly, monitor her condition, and carefully check for any changes.
The emergency service doctors, upon arrival, will want to know your observations and the steps you have taken to treat and treat the victim so far
Advice
- Remember to keep the victim calm and reassure them about what you are doing.
- Call an ambulance as soon as possible.
- When caring for an injured person, never go beyond your skills and knowledge, as there is a real risk of causing further serious injuries.
- Do not do CPR unless you have been trained to do so.
- Constantly check the area for safety. It may be necessary to move the victim and yourself to avoid making the situation worse.
- If you are allergic to an insect sting or bite and / or certain foods or medications, you should get a medical alert bracelet or necklace or a certificate to keep in your wallet.
