What you need to know about shock
Shock, in first aid terms, is what happens when the body can no longer get enough blood – and therefore oxygen – to its vital organs to meet basic needs and clear wastes. It is a circulation problem, not just “feeling shocked,” and it can arise from many serious illnesses and injuries, including severe bleeding, burns, infection, heart problems and severe allergic reactions.
For trainers, it is useful to picture the circulation as a pump and a container: the heart is the pump, the blood vessels are the container, and the blood is the fluid moving through the system. Shock develops when there is too little fluid (for example, major bleeding), when the pump is failing (for example, some heart conditions), or when the container suddenly becomes too wide, such as with severe infection, anaphylaxis or a strong fight‑or‑flight response that causes vasodilation. In all of these cases, blood pressure drops and vital organs do not receive enough oxygen.
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First aiders are not expected to diagnose if a person is in shock or which type of shock is present. Instead, they should recognise when a person may be seriously ill or injured – using patterns of signs such as rapid breathing, pale cool sweaty or mottled skin, confusion, dizziness, collapse, or a strong statement that “something is really wrong” – and respond quickly.
As a trainer you need to have more knowledge than your learners so that you understand the bigger picture and the reason why shock is treated the way it is.
No matter how much knowledge you have, always remember to keep the learner message focused on recognising that a patient may be seriously ill or injured, responding promptly, and managing shock as described in our resources – rather than on detailed diagnosis.
– Shock is a circulation problem, not just “feeling shocked.”
– Shock can arise from serious illness or injury, including bleeding, burns, infection, heart problems, and severe allergic reactions.
– Don’t try to diagnose shock – focus on recognising when a person may be seriously unwell or injured. Look for signs such as rapid breathing, pale cool sweaty or mottled skin, confusion, dizziness, collapse, or statements like “something is really wrong.”
– If you see these signs, respond quickly.
– Treat both shock and the underlying cause.
– Shock can develop gradually and become life-threatening – early recognition and treatment can help prevent or slow deterioration.
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If you have not done this already, now is the time to read the ANZCOR Guideline 9.2.3 and watch the PTS Understanding Shock video.
Only start the following lessons after you have watched the video and read the ANZCOR Guideline. We suggest you have the ANZCOR Guideline open while working through the following lessons so you can cross-check the information and make sure you understand how the information here and in our PTS resources links to the ANZCOR Guideline.
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