Shock

Home Treatment

Prompt home treatment can save the person's life.

• Call 911 or other emergency services.
• Have the person lie down. If there is an injury to the head, neck, or chest, keep the legs flat. Otherwise, raise the person's legs at least 30 cm (12 in.).
• If the person vomits, roll him or her to one side to let fluids drain from the mouth. Use care if there could be an injury to the back or neck.
• Stop any bleeding (see stopping severe bleeding), and splint any broken bones (see splinting).
• Keep the person warm but not hot. Put a blanket under the person, and cover him or her with a sheet or blanket, depending on the weather. If the person is in a hot place, try to keep the person cool.
• Take the person's pulse in case medical staff on the phone need to know what it is. See how to take a pulse. Take it again if the person's condition changes.
• Try to keep the person calm.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Katy E. Magee, MA Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: July 31, 2006
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.