Shock or (circulatory) shock is a life-threatening emergency condition caused by the disruption of normal blood flow thereby inhibiting the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cells and organs of the body. Emergency medical treatment is required immediately. Data show that as many as 20% of people who experience a shock end up dying. The longer help arrives, the higher the risk of permanent damage and organ death. Anaphylaxis, or allergic reactions, can also cause shock and death if not treated immediately.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting Started
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
Before you give any medication, it's important to know what you're taking. Signs and symptoms of shock include:
- Cold, clammy skin that may appear pale or gray.
- Excessive sweating or wet skin.
- Blue lips and fingernails.
- The pulse is weak and fast.
- Deep and fast breathing.
- Pupil enlargement.
- Low blood pressure.
- Very little or no urine output.
- If the person is conscious, he or she will show changes in mental status such as disorientation, confusion, restlessness, dizziness, dizziness (or feeling like passing out), weakness, or fatigue.
- The person may complain of chest pain, nausea, and experience vomiting.
- Decreased consciousness will accompany later
Step 2. Call 118, 119, or the nearest hospital phone number
Shock is a medical emergency, this condition requires the treatment of trained medical personnel and hospitalization.
- You can save the person's life by ensuring that paramedics are on their way to the scene while you initiate initial treatment.
- If possible, stay in touch by phone with the medical personnel who come to pick you up to let them know how your condition is progressing.
- Follow the instructions given by the pick-up officer until they arrive.
Step 3. Check breathing and circulation
Ensure that the airway is clear of obstruction or obstruction, ensure that the person can breathe, and check for a pulse.
- Observe the person's chest to see if it is rising and falling, and place your cheek near his or her mouth to check for breathing.
- Continue to monitor her breathing rate at least every 5 minutes, even if she can breathe without needing any assistance.
Step 4. Check blood pressure if possible
If a blood pressure monitor is available and can be used without causing further injury, monitor the person's blood pressure and report it to the pick-up officer.
Step 5. Initiate CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) if necessary
Perform CPR only if you are trained to do so. CPR procedures can cause serious harm if performed by an untrained person.
- Only trained persons should administer CPR to adults, children, and infants, due to the risk of serious and life-threatening injury.
- The American Heart Association (AHA) has recently adopted a new protocol for administering CPR. As Indonesia follows the AHA and/or European Resuscitation Council for International standards and practical guidelines for the management of CPR, understand the importance that only people who have been trained in this new CPR method-and use an AED or Defibrillator if available-have the responsibility to perform the procedure.
Step 6. Position the person in the shock (recovery) position
If he is conscious and has no injuries to the head, legs, neck or spine then proceed to position the person in the shock position.
- Position him in a lying position and elevate the position of his legs approximately 30.5 cm.
- Do not elevate the head position.
- If elevating the foot causes pain or is a risk of injury then do not do this and leave the person in a flat position.
Step 7. Don't move the person
Deal with him where you first saw him, unless the area around him is dangerous.
- For safety reasons, you may need to carefully remove the person from a hazardous area. For example, if he is in the middle of a highway after a car crash or near an unstable building that is at risk of collapsing or exploding.
- Do not allow the person to eat or drink anything.
Step 8. Provide first aid for visible wounds
If he has had a medical trauma, you may need to stop the flow of blood from the wound or provide first aid in case of a fracture.
Apply pressure to any bleeding wounds and cover the wound with a clean cloth if available
Step 9. Keep the person warm
Cover him with whatever cloth is available such as a towel, jacket, blanket, or first aid blanket.
Step 10. Make him as comfortable as possible
Loosen clothing accessories that are binding such as belts, button-down pants at the waist, or tight clothing around the chest area.
- Loosen collars, remove ties, and unbutton or cut tight clothing.
- Loosen shoes and remove any jewelry that is tight or twisted if it is around the waist or neck.
Part 2 of 3: Monitoring until Help Arrives
Step 1. Accompany until help arrives
Do not wait for symptoms to worsen to evaluate the condition, initiate initial treatment, and monitor the progress or deterioration of the person's condition.
- Speak calmly. If he's conscious, talking to him can help you continue the assessment process.
- Inform the person's level of consciousness, breathing, and pulse to the pick-up officer.
Step 2. Continue handling
Check and keep the airway clear (free of obstruction or obstruction), monitor breathing, and continue to monitor blood circulation by checking the pulse.
Monitor his level of consciousness every few minutes until paramedics arrive
Step 3. Prevent the victim from choking
If she is vomiting or bleeding from inside the mouth, and there is no suspicion of a spinal cord injury, turn the victim to her side to prevent choking.
- If a spinal cord injury is suspected and the person is vomiting, clear the airway if possible without changing the position of the head, back, or neck.
- Place your hands on each side of the person's face, gently lift their jaws, and open their mouth with your fingertips to clear the airway. Be careful not to shift the position of the head and neck.
- If you can't clear the airway, get someone else to perform a log-rolling maneuver to "tilt" the person to their side and prevent choking.
- One person should support the head and neck and keep them in line with the back, while the other person gently tilts the injured victim to his side.
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with Anaphylaxis
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction
Allergic reactions occur within seconds or minutes of contact with the allergen. Symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction include:
- Pale skin, possible redness or redness in the area, hives (urticaria), itching, and swelling at the site of contact.
- Hot sensation.
- Difficulty swallowing, sensation of a mass or blockage in the throat.
- Difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and chest discomfort or tightness.
- Swelling in the area of the tongue and mouth, nasal congestion, and swelling of the face.
- Dizziness, feeling like fainting, anxiety, and decreased verbal communication (slurring).
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- The heart beats fast and irregularly (palpitations) and the pulse is fast and weak.
Step 2. Call 118, 119, or the nearest hospital phone number
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency, this condition requires the treatment of trained personnel and possibly hospitalization.
- Anaphylaxis can lead to death if not treated immediately. Stay on the phone with the emergency services you called for further instructions while you provide initial treatment.
- Do not delay seeking medical emergency help, even if the symptoms seem mild. In some cases, the anaphylactic reaction initially appears mild, then gradually reaches a serious and life-threatening level within hours of contact with the allergen.
- Initial reactions to anaphylaxis include swelling and itching at the area of contact. For insect stings, these symptoms appear on the skin. For food or drug allergies, the swelling will likely start in the mouth and throat area which in a short time, can interfere with the person's breathing.
Step 3. Inject epinephrine
Ask him if he has an automatic injection device, such as an EpiPen. The injection is usually done in the thigh.
- An EpiPen is an injection device used to inject a "lifesaving" dose of epinephrine to slow an allergic reaction, and is usually carried by a person who knows they have a food allergy or insect sting.
- Do not assume that this injection is enough to stop an allergic reaction. Proceed with carrying out the necessary handling.
Step 4. Speak to the person in calm and soothing words
Try to find out the cause of this allergic reaction.
- Common types of allergies that can cause a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction include: bee or wasp stings, insect bites or stings such as fire ants, foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, and soy or wheat products.
- If the person is unable to speak or respond, check to see if he or she is wearing a necklace, bracelet, or carrying a "medical identification tag" card in her purse.
- If the cause is an insect or bee sting, rub the stinger off the skin with a hard object such as a fingernail, keys, or credit card.
- Do not remove the stinger with tongs. This will actually cause more toxins to be squeezed into the skin.
Step 5. Proceed with steps to prevent shock
Position the person in a flat position on the ground or floor. Do not place a pillow under his head as this can interfere with breathing.
- Do not give him any food or drink.
- Raise his legs about 30.5 cm from the ground, and cover him with something that can warm him like a coat or blanket.
- Loosen restrictive clothing or accessories such as belts, ties, pants buttons, collars or shirts, shoes, and jewelry around the neck or wrists.
- If an injury to the head, neck, back or spine is suspected, do not elevate the legs, let the person lie flat on the ground or floor.
Step 6. Tilt the victim to his side if he wants to vomit
To prevent choking and maintain an airway, turn the victim to his side if he wants to vomit or if you notice blood in his mouth.
Take preventive measures to prevent further injury if a spinal cord injury is suspected. Seek help from another person to perform the log-rolling maneuver and tilt the victim to the side of the body while keeping the head, neck, and back as straight as possible
Step 7. Keep the airway clean and monitor breathing and circulation
Even if the person is able to breathe without the need for help or equipment, continue to monitor the respiratory rate and pulse every few minutes.
Monitor his level of consciousness every few minutes until paramedics arrive
Step 8. Start CPR if necessary
Perform CPR only if you are trained to do so. CPR procedures can cause serious harm if performed by an untrained person.
- Only trained persons should perform CPR on adults, children and infants, due to the risk of serious and life-threatening injury.
- The American Heart Association (AHA) has recently adopted a new protocol for administering CPR. As Indonesia follows the AHA and/or European Resuscitation Council for International standards and practical guidelines for the management of CPR, understand the importance that only people who have been trained in this new CPR method-and use an AED or Defibrillator if available-have the responsibility to perform the procedure.
Step 9. Continue to be with the paramedics until the paramedics arrive
Talk back with calm and reassuring words, monitor his condition, and watch for changes.
Medical staff will need information on the latest developments in the condition based on your observations and the steps you have taken to treat this medical emergency
Tips
- Remember to keep the person calm and explain what you are doing to make them feel more relaxed.
- Call an ambulance as soon as possible.
- Never treat a person with an injury beyond your capabilities due to the high risk of further serious injury that may occur.
- Do not try to perform CPR unless you are trained in it.
- Continue to monitor the safety of the surrounding area. You may need to move the person as well as yourself to a (more) safe place.
- If you have an allergy to insect stings or bites, to food, or to medications, take the initiative to purchase a bracelet, necklace, or medical identification label card.
