Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

4 Circulation and Shock

First aid for shock focuses on providing aid for any illness or injury found, and supporting the patient to make perfusion easier. Ways to help perfusion and minimize or delay shock include:

Signs and Symptoms Developing (Compensated) Shock • Agitation • Anxiety • Restlessness • Altered mental status • Weak and rapid or absent pulse • Cool, moist skin • Grey pallor to skin, • Cyanosis of the lips, finger beds • Shallow, rapid breathing • Shortness of breath • Nausea, vomiting • Thirst

• Treating the injury or illness • Positioning for rest/comfort • Covering and keeping warm • Calming and reassuring

Simply by laying down, the patient decreases the workload on the body’s systems and makes perfusion easier. For a conscious patient, this is usually supine (on their back) or if unconscious, in the appropriate recovery position. Take appropriate spinal precautions for patients with a suspected head or neck injury.

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