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Shock

What is Shock?
A certain degree of shock is present with any illness or injury sucj as severe bleeding, burns, fractures, nerve injury or heart attacks.

The first signs of shock are:

• Restlessness and anxiety
• Pale or blue-grey skin colour, especially of the lips and fingernails
• Sweating and cold, clammy skin
• Weak and rapid pulse
• Short, fast, shallow breathing
• Thirst
• Nausea and vomiting
• Decreasing level of consciousness

First Aid Treatment

• Do not delay - call for immediate professional medical assistance
• Constantly reassure the casualty
• Lie casualty on their back. Raise feet to increase blood flow to the brain
• Handle the casualty gently to avoid causing pain
• Wipe their face with a cool, damp cloth and moisten their lips
• Keep casualty warm, but do not overheat

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