Hypovolaemic shock

There are a number of reasons why this system could fail, including blood loss, failure of the heart, poor circulation, a fall in blood pressure and the lack of oxygen contained within the body.

Other conditions include poisoning, vomiting, infection, burns and injury to the spinal cord, but this is by no means the definitive list.

As a First Aider, there are a number of things we can do for our casualty such as to stop the bleeding and to take pressure off the heart. This will be covered later, but one of your main concerns should be that hypovolaemic shock will set in very quickly if you don’t react quickly enough, and shock can be a killer!

Hypovolaemic shock is best described as a failure or collapse of the circulatory system when the arterial blood pressure is too low to provide an adequate blood supply to the tissues.

Signs and symptoms of hypovolaemic shock

• Ashen coloured skin (grey/blue)
• Clammy and cold skin to touch
• Feeling of sickness and thirst
• Their breathing will be rapid and shallow
• Rapid, weak pulse

Treatment of hypovolaemic shock

• Deal with the injury or condition
• Make them comfortable and lay them down
• Raise both legs providing it does not compromise their injuries further
• Keep them warm and maintain their response levels by talking to them
• Call for an ambulance
• Monitor their response and breathing
• Do not allow them to smoke, eat or drink as it may affect their well-being and it could compromise further treatment