Learn How Shock Develops, How to Recognize Its Warning Signs, and What First Responders Should Do
Imagine this.
You arrive at the scene of a serious motorcycle accident. A man is lying on the road, conscious but pale. There is a deep wound to his thigh, and blood is flowing rapidly onto the pavement.
He is talking to you.
“I'm okay… I just need a minute.”
But something is changing.
His skin is becoming cold and clammy.His pulse is rapid. His breathing is getting quicker. He looks frightened and increasingly weak.
His body is already fighting to keep him alive.
Because he is losing blood, there is less circulating blood available to transport oxygen around his body. His heart responds by beating faster. Blood vessels constrict, redirecting blood toward vital organs such as the brain and heart while reducing blood flow to less immediately critical tissues.
For a short time, these mechanisms can compensate for the problem.
But compensation has limits.
If the bleeding continues, the body eventually reaches a point where it can no longer maintain adequate circulation. Blood pressure begins to fall, tissue perfusion deteriorates, and the cells do not receive enough oxygen to meet their metabolic demands.
This is shock.
And shock is not simply “low blood pressure.”
Shock is a failure of the circulatory system to deliver adequate oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues. Low blood pressure may appear later, but the underlying problem can begin well before the blood pressure collapses.
Once cellular oxygen delivery becomes inadequate, cells begin to malfunction. If the underlying cause is not rapidly corrected, tissue injury progresses to organ dysfunction, organ failure, and potentially death.
This is why understanding shock is so important for first aiders, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other healthcare professionals.
The patient does not suddenly become critically ill when the blood pressure finally reaches a dangerously low number.
The process often starts much earlier.
The body compensates. The body struggles. Then compensation fails.
Understanding what happens during those stages—and recognizing the warning signs before the patient deteriorates—is one of the most important skills in emergency care.
1. What Is Shock?
Shock is a form of acute circulatory failure in which the tissues do not receive adequate oxygen and nutrients to maintain normal cellular function.
The problem can occur because:
- there is not enough blood in the circulation;
- the heart cannot pump effectively;
- blood cannot flow normally because of a mechanical obstruction;
- the blood vessels have lost their normal vascular tone;
- or several of these mechanisms occur simultaneously.
The final common pathway is inadequate tissue perfusion.
When cells do not receive enough oxygen, they cannot rely adequately on normal aerobic metabolism. They increasingly depend on anaerobic metabolism, producing metabolic disturbances including lactate accumulation and cellular dysfunction. If the process continues, cell injury and organ dysfunction develop.
This is why shock is a time-critical medical emergency.
There are four major categories:
- Hypovolemic shock
- Cardiogenic shock
- Obstructive shock
- Distributive shock
Distributive shock includes important conditions such as:
- septic shock;
- anaphylactic shock;
- neurogenic shock.
Understanding these mechanisms is important not only for recognizing shock, but also for understanding what paramedics and advanced emergency providers do to reverse it.
The central principle is:
Paramedics do not treat “shock” as one single condition. They identify the most likely mechanism and intervene to correct that mechanism while supporting oxygen delivery and perfusion.
2. Shock Is Not Simply Hypotension
One of the most important concepts is:
A patient can be in shock before their blood pressure falls.
During early shock, the body activates compensatory mechanisms.
These include:
- increased heart rate;
- increased myocardial contractility;
- peripheral vasoconstriction;
- redistribution of blood flow toward critical organs;
- and increased respiratory activity.
As a result, a patient can have significant circulatory compromise while their blood pressure is still relatively normal.
This is generally described as compensated shock.
When the underlying problem becomes severe enough that compensation can no longer maintain adequate circulation, decompensated shock develops.
A useful way to think about shock is:
Compensated shock → compensation maintains perfusion
Decompensated shock → perfusion deteriorates → hypotension develops → organ dysfunction may follow
The mechanism causing this failure is different depending on the type of shock.
At that point, hypotension commonly appears and signs of inadequate tissue perfusion become increasingly obvious.
3. Cardiac Output, Vascular Resistance, and Blood Pressure
Three concepts are particularly important.
Cardiac output
Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart each minute.
Cardiac Output = Heart Rate × Stroke Volume
If heart rate or stroke volume increases, cardiac output can increase.
However, an increased heart rate does not necessarily guarantee adequate cardiac output. If stroke volume is severely reduced, tachycardia may not be enough to compensate.
Systemic vascular resistance
Systemic vascular resistance describes the resistance to blood flow through the systemic circulation.
Vasoconstriction → increased vascular resistance
Vasodilation → decreased vascular resistance
This is particularly important in distributive shock.
Mean arterial pressure
A useful simplified relationship is:
MAP ≈ Cardiac Output × Systemic Vascular Resistance
Therefore, blood pressure can fall because:
- cardiac output falls;
- systemic vascular resistance falls;
- or both occur simultaneously.
This explains why hypotension does not automatically mean vasodilation.
4. Compensated Shock
When perfusion begins to deteriorate, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system.
This produces:
Increased heart rate
The heart beats faster to help maintain cardiac output.
Increased contractility
The heart attempts to eject blood more forcefully.
Peripheral vasoconstriction
Blood vessels constrict, increasing systemic vascular resistance.
Blood flow is preferentially maintained toward critical organs such as the brain and heart.
The patient may therefore develop:
- tachycardia;
- pale or cool skin;
- clammy skin;
- rapid breathing;
- anxiety or agitation;
- delayed capillary refill.
Importantly, blood pressure may still be normal.
5. Decompensated Shock
Compensation has limits.
If the underlying problem continues, the body can no longer maintain adequate circulation.
The sequence can be summarized as:
Underlying problem → compensatory mechanisms → compensation fails → hypotension → inadequate tissue perfusion → cellular dysfunction → organ dysfunction
At this point, hypotension is an important indicator that the cardiovascular system is no longer maintaining adequate perfusion.
However, the cause of the hypotension differs between the four major categories.
6. Hypovolemic Shock
The problem
Hypovolemic shock occurs when there is a critical reduction in effective circulating volume.
Examples include:
- severe hemorrhage;
- major gastrointestinal fluid loss;
- severe dehydration;
- extensive burns;
- and other significant fluid losses.
In hemorrhagic shock:
Blood loss → ↓ circulating volume → ↓ venous return → ↓ preload → ↓ stroke volume → ↓ cardiac output
The body initially compensates with:
↑ heart rate + ↑ contractility + vasoconstriction
What Do Paramedics Do for Hypovolemic Shock?
The fundamental principle is:
Stop the loss and restore effective circulating volume.
The exact treatment depends on whether the hypovolemia is caused by bleeding or non-hemorrhagic fluid loss.
Step 1: Control external hemorrhage
For severe external bleeding, paramedics prioritize rapid hemorrhage control.
Depending on the wound and circumstances, this may include:
- direct pressure;
- wound packing;
- pressure dressings;
- tourniquets for life-threatening extremity hemorrhage;
- and other approved hemorrhage-control techniques.
The principle is simple:
If blood is leaving the body, stop the bleeding.
Giving fluid while uncontrolled hemorrhage continues cannot adequately solve the underlying problem.
Step 2: Establish vascular access
Paramedics may establish:
- intravenous access;
- or intraosseous access when IV access is difficult or delayed.
This allows administration of fluids, blood products, medications, and other treatments according to the clinical situation and local protocols.
Step 3: Restore circulating volume
In significant hemorrhagic shock, modern trauma care increasingly emphasizes blood products rather than large volumes of crystalloid alone when blood loss is severe.
Depending on the EMS system, paramedics may administer products such as:
- packed red blood cells;
- plasma;
- whole blood;
- or other blood components.
The exact products and ratios depend on local protocols and available resources.
The objective is to restore oxygen-carrying capacity and circulating volume while controlling hemorrhage.
Step 4: Avoid unnecessary excessive crystalloid
Large volumes of crystalloid can contribute to dilution of clotting factors and other problems in severe hemorrhage.
Therefore, fluid therapy is guided by the patient's condition, type of shock, suspected bleeding, and local trauma protocols.
Step 5: Prevent hypothermia
Hypothermia can worsen coagulopathy and is particularly dangerous in major trauma.
Paramedics therefore attempt to:
- expose only when necessary;
- remove wet clothing when appropriate;
- cover the patient;
- use warming measures;
- and prevent unnecessary heat loss.
Step 6: Rapid transport
A patient with severe hemorrhagic shock may require:
- surgical control of bleeding;
- interventional radiology;
- blood transfusion;
- or other definitive treatment.
Therefore:
Prehospital care is often a bridge to definitive hemorrhage control, not the definitive solution itself.8. Cardiogenic Shock
8. Cardiogenic Shock
The problem
Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's requirements.
The fundamental mechanism is:
Pump failure → ↓ cardiac output → inadequate tissue perfusion
The body responds with sympathetic activation.
This causes:
↑ heart rate + vasoconstriction
The vasoconstriction may help maintain blood pressure but also increases the workload against which the heart must pump.
What Do Paramedics Do for Cardiogenic Shock?
The objective is:
Support oxygen delivery and circulation while treating the cardiac cause and avoiding interventions that worsen cardiac failure.
Step 1: Identify the likely cause
Paramedics assess for causes such as:
- acute coronary syndrome;
- severe arrhythmia;
- acute heart failure;
- mechanical cardiac problems;
- or other cardiac conditions.
A 12-lead ECG is particularly important when acute coronary syndrome or another cardiac cause is suspected.
Step 2: Support oxygenation and ventilation
If the patient is hypoxemic or in respiratory failure, oxygen and ventilatory support may be required.
Patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema may require positive-pressure ventilation such as CPAP or other advanced respiratory support according to protocol.
Step 3: Establish monitoring and vascular access
Paramedics monitor:
- ECG;
- heart rate;
- blood pressure;
- oxygen saturation;
- respiratory status;
- mental status;
- and other indicators of perfusion.
Step 4: Treat dangerous arrhythmias
Severe bradyarrhythmias or tachyarrhythmias can produce cardiogenic shock.
Depending on the rhythm and clinical situation, advanced providers may use:
- electrical cardioversion;
- defibrillation;
- pacing;
- or medications.
Step 5: Consider medications according to the cause
Advanced EMS systems may use vasoactive or inotropic medications when indicated.
For example, vasopressors can support vascular tone and blood pressure in severe hypotension.
In selected cases, inotropic support can improve cardiac contractility.
These are advanced interventions and must follow clinical protocols.
Step 6: Rapid transport to definitive cardiac care
When cardiogenic shock is caused by acute myocardial infarction, definitive treatment may require urgent coronary reperfusion.
The paramedic's role is therefore:
Recognize → stabilize → support circulation and oxygenation → rapidly transport to definitive treatment.
10. Obstructive Shock
The problem
Obstructive shock occurs when a mechanical problem prevents adequate circulation.
Important examples include:
- tension pneumothorax;
- cardiac tamponade;
- massive pulmonary embolism.
The heart may be capable of contracting, but blood cannot circulate normally because of the obstruction.
11. What Do Paramedics Do for Obstructive Shock?
The fundamental principle is:
Relieve the obstruction as quickly as possible while supporting circulation.
The exact intervention depends entirely on the cause.
Tension pneumothorax
A tension pneumothorax can severely reduce venous return.
The mechanism is:
↑ intrathoracic pressure → ↓ venous return → ↓ cardiac filling → ↓ cardiac output → shock
When a tension pneumothorax is suspected in an unstable patient, appropriately trained paramedics may perform needle decompression or finger/open thoracostomy, depending on their scope of practice and local protocol.
This is a critical example of treating the cause rather than merely treating the blood pressure.
Giving fluid alone cannot remove the mechanical obstruction.
Cardiac tamponade
In tamponade, fluid under pressure around the heart prevents adequate cardiac filling.
Definitive treatment is drainage of the pericardial fluid.
In many EMS systems, paramedics provide supportive management and rapid transport rather than performing definitive pericardial drainage in the field.
Massive pulmonary embolism
In massive pulmonary embolism, a clot obstructs pulmonary circulation.
Management may include:
- oxygen and ventilatory support when required;
- circulatory support;
- rapid transport;
- anticoagulation in appropriate systems;
- and, in selected systems and circumstances, advanced reperfusion treatment such as thrombolysis.
The exact approach depends heavily on the patient's presentation and local EMS protocols.
12. Distributive Shock
Distributive shock is characterized primarily by abnormal vascular tone and blood-flow distribution.
Major forms include:
- septic shock;
- anaphylactic shock;
- neurogenic shock.
The central physiological problem is often:
vasodilation → ↓ systemic vascular resistance
This can create a state of relative hypovolemia, even when the patient has not physically lost large amounts of blood.
13. What Do Paramedics Do for Distributive Shock?
The treatment depends on the specific cause.
This is particularly important because septic shock, anaphylactic shock, and neurogenic shock are not treated identically.
14. Paramedic Management of Anaphylactic Shock
Anaphylaxis is a form of distributive shock.
The major mechanisms include:
Vasodilation
Increased capillary permeability
Bronchoconstriction
Airway edema
These can produce:
↓ systemic vascular resistance + ↓ effective circulating volume → hypotension and shock
The first-line treatment: Epinephrine
Epinephrine is the critical first-line medication for anaphylaxis.
Its effects address several mechanisms simultaneously.
α₁
Vasoconstriction → ↑ vascular resistance → ↑ blood pressure
It also helps reduce airway and mucosal edema.
β₁
↑ heart rate + ↑ contractility → cardiovascular support
β₂
Bronchodilation → improved airflow
Therefore:
Epinephrine does not simply “raise the blood pressure.” It directly counteracts the underlying pathophysiology of anaphylaxis.
Paramedics administer intramuscular epinephrine according to established protocols and the clinical presentation.
Additional treatment
Depending on severity, paramedics may also provide:
- oxygen;
- airway support;
- bronchodilator therapy for persistent bronchospasm;
- IV or IO access;
- isotonic crystalloid for significant hypotension;
- repeat epinephrine when indicated;
- advanced airway management when necessary.
Antihistamines and corticosteroids may have roles in selected situations, but they do not replace epinephrine as first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.
Positioning
Positioning is also important.
A severely hypotensive patient should generally not be allowed to suddenly stand or walk because this can further reduce venous return and worsen cardiovascular collapse.
Paramedics select positioning according to the patient's respiratory status, circulation, vomiting risk, pregnancy, and other clinical considerations.
15. Paramedic Management of Septic Shock
Septic shock is distributive shock associated with severe infection.
The mechanisms can include:
- profound vasodilation;
- capillary leakage;
- abnormal microcirculation;
- impaired oxygen utilization;
- and sometimes myocardial dysfunction.
Initial priorities
Paramedics assess:
- airway;
- breathing;
- circulation;
- mental status;
- temperature;
- perfusion;
- and suspected source of infection.
Oxygen and ventilation
Oxygen is provided when clinically indicated.
Respiratory failure may require advanced airway and ventilatory support.
Vascular access
IV or IO access may be established.
Fluid resuscitation
Appropriate patients may receive IV crystalloid according to local protocols and the patient's clinical condition.
The purpose is to improve effective circulating volume and tissue perfusion.
However, fluid therapy must be reassessed continuously, particularly in patients with cardiac or renal disease or signs of fluid overload.
Vasopressors
If hypotension persists despite appropriate initial resuscitation, vasopressors may be required.
Norepinephrine is widely used as a first-line vasopressor for septic shock in advanced critical care settings.
The objective is to restore vascular tone and maintain adequate perfusion pressure.
Antibiotics and definitive treatment
In systems where prehospital administration is appropriate, antibiotics may be initiated according to protocol.
More commonly, EMS focuses on rapid recognition, supportive treatment, and transport to a facility capable of definitive sepsis management.
The underlying infection must ultimately be treated.
16. Paramedic Management of Neurogenic Shock
Neurogenic shock is associated with loss of sympathetic vascular tone, typically following significant spinal cord injury.
The result can be:
vasodilation → ↓ systemic vascular resistance → hypotension
Unlike many other shock states, neurogenic shock can be associated with:
bradycardia
rather than the expected tachycardia.
Prehospital priorities
Paramedics focus on:
- spinal motion restriction according to current trauma protocols when indicated;
- airway management;
- oxygenation and ventilation;
- hemodynamic monitoring;
- vascular access;
- treatment of hypotension;
- and prevention of secondary spinal cord injury.
Fluid therapy may be used carefully to support circulation.
If hypotension persists, vasopressors may be required to restore vascular tone.
If clinically significant bradycardia is present, treatment may include medications or pacing depending on severity and local protocol.
The objective is to restore adequate perfusion without assuming that the patient simply has blood loss.
17. The Paramedic Approach to Shock
Regardless of the specific type, paramedics generally follow a structured approach.
1. Recognize shock
Look for evidence of inadequate perfusion.
This may include:
- altered mental status;
- abnormal pulse;
- tachycardia or bradycardia;
- abnormal respiratory rate;
- abnormal skin findings;
- hypotension;
- weakness;
- reduced urine output;
- or other signs of circulatory failure.
2. Identify the mechanism
Ask:
Is the patient losing volume?
→ Hypovolemic
Is the heart failing?
→ Cardiogenic
Is something physically blocking circulation?
→ Obstructive
Have the vessels lost vascular tone?
→ Distributive
3. Support ABCs
Paramedics manage:
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
while simultaneously identifying and treating the cause.
4. Obtain monitoring and access
Depending on the patient's condition, this may include:
- ECG;
- blood pressure;
- pulse oximetry;
- capnography;
- IV access;
- IO access;
- blood glucose;
- temperature;
- and other advanced assessments.
5. Treat the cause
This is the most important step.
Stop the bleeding.
Support the failing heart.
Relieve the obstruction.
Reverse vasodilation and treat the underlying distributive cause.
6. Reassess continuously
Shock is dynamic.
The patient's condition can deteriorate rapidly.
Paramedics repeatedly reassess:
- blood pressure;
- heart rate;
- respiratory status;
- mental status;
- skin;
- pulse quality;
- oxygenation;
- response to treatment;
- and overall perfusion.
18. Prehospital Management: Summary Table
| Shock type | Primary problem | What paramedics try to reverse | Typical prehospital interventions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypovolemic | Insufficient circulating volume | Volume loss and hemorrhage | Hemorrhage control, IV/IO access, blood products when available, appropriate fluids, warming, rapid transport |
| Cardiogenic | Pump failure | Inadequate cardiac output | ECG/monitoring, oxygen/ventilation when indicated, arrhythmia treatment, selected vasoactive/inotropic support, rapid cardiac-center transport |
| Obstructive | Mechanical obstruction | Physical obstruction to circulation | Rapid recognition, decompression for tension pneumothorax when indicated, supportive care, treatment/transport for tamponade or massive PE |
| Anaphylactic | Vasodilation + capillary leakage + airway effects | Loss of vascular tone and allergic mediator effects | IM epinephrine, airway/oxygen support, bronchodilator when indicated, IV/IO access, fluids for hypotension, repeat epinephrine as indicated |
| Septic | Vasodilation + abnormal microcirculation ± capillary leakage | Infection-associated circulatory failure | IV/IO access, appropriate crystalloid, oxygen/ventilation when needed, vasopressors in advanced systems, rapid definitive care |
| Neurogenic | Loss of sympathetic vascular tone | Vasodilation ± bradycardia | Spinal/trauma management, airway/ventilation support, cautious fluids, vasopressors, treatment of significant bradycardia |
The exact medications, fluid strategy, blood products, airway interventions, and invasive procedures available to paramedics vary according to country, EMS system, medical direction, scope of practice, and local protocols.
19. The Most Important Principle: Treat the Cause
A common mistake when learning shock is to think:
“The blood pressure is low, so we need to raise the blood pressure.”
That is incomplete.
The better question is:
“Why is the blood pressure low, and why is tissue perfusion inadequate?”
Consider four patients:
Patient 1: Severe hemorrhage
The patient is hypotensive because they have lost circulating blood.
The solution is not simply a vasopressor.
The priority is:
Control bleeding + restore circulating volume and oxygen-carrying capacity.
Patient 2: Cardiogenic shock
The patient is hypotensive because the heart cannot generate adequate forward flow.
The solution is not simply giving large volumes of fluid.
The priority is:
Support the heart + treat the cardiac cause + support blood pressure and oxygenation as required.
Patient 3: Tension pneumothorax
The patient is hypotensive because circulation is mechanically obstructed.
The solution is not simply fluid.
The priority is:
Relieve the obstruction.
Patient 4: Anaphylactic shock
The patient is hypotensive because of profound vasodilation and increased vascular permeability.
The priority is:
Epinephrine + airway/respiratory support + appropriate fluid resuscitation.
This demonstrates why understanding the physiology is more useful than memorizing isolated treatments.
20. Why Paramedics Do Not Treat Every Shock Patient the Same Way
The four categories can produce similar clinical findings:
- tachycardia;
- hypotension;
- weakness;
- altered mental status;
- poor peripheral perfusion;
- and eventually organ dysfunction.
But the underlying physiology can be completely different.
For example:
A hypotensive trauma patient with major bleeding
is fundamentally different from:
A hypotensive patient with anaphylaxis.
The first patient needs hemorrhage control and volume/blood replacement.
The second needs epinephrine and treatment of the allergic reaction.
Likewise:
A hypotensive patient with tension pneumothorax
requires relief of the obstruction.
And:
A hypotensive patient with cardiogenic shock
may deteriorate with inappropriate fluid administration.
Therefore, emergency treatment must be based on mechanism, not simply on the presence of hypotension.
21. From Compensation to Organ Failure
The entire progression can be visualized as:
Initial circulatory problem
↓
Compensatory response
↑ Heart rate
↑ Contractility
Vasoconstriction
Redistribution of blood flow
↓
Compensated shock
Blood pressure may still be maintained.
↓
Underlying problem worsens
↓
Compensation fails
↓
Decompensated shock
↓
Hypotension + inadequate tissue perfusion
↓
Cellular hypoxia and metabolic dysfunction
↓
Organ dysfunction
↓
Organ failure
↓
Potential death
The sooner the underlying cause is identified and reversed, the greater the opportunity to prevent this progression.
22. The Four Questions Every Emergency Responder Should Ask
When confronted with a patient who may be in shock, remember four questions.
1. Is there enough volume?
If not:
Hypovolemic shock
2. Can the heart pump effectively?
If not:
Cardiogenic shock
3. Is something physically preventing circulation?
If yes:
Obstructive shock
4. Have the vessels lost appropriate vascular tone?
If yes:
Distributive shock
Then ask:
What can I do right now to reverse that mechanism?
This is the fundamental difference between recognizing shock and understanding shock.
23. Final Summary
Shock is not simply low blood pressure.
It is a state of inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery.
During compensated shock, the body attempts to maintain circulation through:
- increased heart rate;
- increased contractility;
- vasoconstriction;
- and redistribution of blood flow.
When compensation fails, decompensated shock develops.
Hypotension commonly appears, tissue perfusion deteriorates, and prolonged cellular hypoxia can produce organ dysfunction and organ failure.
The four major mechanisms are:
Hypovolemic shock
Not enough circulating volume.
Treatment focuses on:
Control the loss + restore circulating volume and oxygen-carrying capacity.
Cardiogenic shock
The heart cannot pump effectively.
Treatment focuses on:
Support the heart + treat the cardiac cause + maintain adequate perfusion.
Obstructive shock
A mechanical obstruction prevents effective circulation.
Treatment focuses on:
Identify and relieve the obstruction.
Distributive shock
The vascular system has lost appropriate tone and blood flow is abnormally distributed.
Treatment focuses on:
Restore vascular tone + support circulation + treat the underlying cause.
Anaphylactic shock is a form of distributive shock.
Its major mechanisms include:
vasodilation + increased capillary permeability + bronchoconstriction + airway edema.
Epinephrine is therefore central to treatment because:
α₁ → vasoconstriction
β₁ → cardiovascular support
β₂ → bronchodilation
The ultimate objective of paramedic care is not simply to normalize a blood pressure reading.
It is to:
Restore effective circulation, oxygen delivery, and tissue perfusion while rapidly correcting the underlying cause of shock.
That is the key concept that connects all four types of shock.
Don’t Wait for Shock to Become Life-Threatening. Be Ready.
Shock can develop quickly after a serious injury, medical emergency, severe bleeding, or other life-threatening condition. Recognising the early warning signs and taking the right actions can be critical while waiting for professional medical help.
Reading about shock is a good start. Practising emergency response with a trained instructor is what gives you the confidence to recognise deterioration and act appropriately.
At Bangkok First Aid, our First Aid, CPR and AED training courses teach practical emergency response skills through hands-on, realistic scenarios, including:
- Recognising the early signs and symptoms of shock
- Understanding the four major types of shock
- Identifying when a casualty may be compensating or deteriorating
- Controlling life-threatening bleeding and addressing other immediate causes
- Providing appropriate first aid while waiting for emergency medical services
- Monitoring the casualty and recognising changes in their condition
- Knowing when to call 1669 and how to communicate essential information to emergency responders
- Understanding when and how CPR and AED may be required
Whether you are an individual, parent, teacher, first aider, workplace responder or part of an emergency response team, the ability to recognise shock and respond appropriately can make a critical difference.
Prepare before an emergency happens. Train with Bangkok First Aid and build the practical skills needed to respond with confidence.