Shock

A variety of symptoms appear in a person experiencing shock:

i) The skin may appear pale or gray, and is cool and clammy to the touch.

ii) The heartbeat is weak and rapid, and breathing is slow and shallow. The blood pressure is reduced.

iii) The eyes lack shine and seem to stare. Sometimes the pupils are dilated.

iv) The person may be conscious or unconscious. If conscious, the person may faint or be very weak or confused. On the other hand, shock sometimes causes a person to become overly excited and anxious.

Even if a person seems normal after an injury, take precautions and treat the person for shock by following these steps:

i) Get the person to lie down on his or her back and elevate the feet higher than the person's head. Keep the person from moving unnecessarily.

ii) Keep the person warm and comfortable. Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Do not give the person anything to drink.

iii) If the person is vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, place the person on his or her side to prevent choking.

iv) Treat any injuries appropriately (bleeding, broken bones, etc.).

v) Summon emergency medical assistance immediately.