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What should you do if you or someone close to you experiences shock or fainting? Dr Chris Brown explains the dos and don'ts
Both conditions occur when there has been a sudden, marked fall in blood pressure, which reduces the amount of blood and oxygen flowing to the brain. This leads to feelings of faintness, dizziness, and confusion.
Shock may also occur:
- After any accident, especially when there has been loss of blood.
- After any serious infection which has involved loss of fluids.
- After a serious burn.
When a person suffers shock they can:
- Go pale.
- Become sweaty, cold and clammy.
- Feel dizzy.
- Have a weak, fast pulse.
- Have slow, shallow breathing.
- Have low blood pressure.
- Seem anxious and restless.
- Lose consciousness.
What to do if someone is shocked or feels faint
- Lay them down, raising and supporting their legs.
- Make sure the subject is comfortable and warm – but not hot.
- Do not give drinks, but moisten their lips if necessary.
- Lay them on their side if they are unconscious, or if there is any bleeding from the mouth, or if they are vomiting.
- Call for an ambulance as they will need to be examined by a doctor.
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