First Aid for Shock and Burns

Shock. Most people suffer shock after an accident. Consequently, it is a good idea to treat all accident victims for shock.

Doctors know that one of the causes of shock is a partial collapse of the circulatory system. Therefore, the treatment for shock is to get the patient to a doctor or hospital where he may be given plasma or a blood transfusion. For this reason you should call an ambulance or a doctor immediately.

Quite often a person in shock has suffered a loss of blood, either through a wound or internal injuries. However, this is not always the case. A person in shock is usually pale and listless. His body processes are slow. Perspiration may appear on his face. He may vomit or feel nauseous.

If the shock is severe, the patient may be unconscious. In this case, give no fluids, but lay the patient down and elevate his feet slightly. Call a doctor at once.

Electric current injury. Do not confuse shock with electric shock (electrocution ). The two conditions are not similar and are treated differently. The treatment for electric shock is artificial respiration because a shock may stop breathing. Treatment for burns is also given, because electric current accidents often involve severe burns.

Burns. One of the most common and most painful injuries is a burn. Burns may be caused by heat, chemicals, sunlight, or electricity. They may be mild (first degree), severe (second degree), or very severe (third degree). In any of them, good first aid may relieve considerable pain and may save a life.

First aid for burns. The best first aid for any burn is simple and easy to remember. If possible, plunge the burned area in ice water immediately. If you cannot plunge the burned part into water, you can apply ice or very cold water to the burned area. Wet sterile cloths or ice packs are good for this. Keep the burn chilled until the victim can be taken to a doctor.

Placing ice water or cold water on the burn relieves pain very well. It also helps prevent further tissue damage within the burned area.

This treatment is very effective and may be used for all burns, whether slight first-degree burns or very severe third-degree burns.

If the skin of the burned area is not broken, you may cover the burn with a sterile pad and bandage it loosely.

Burns of the eye. In the case of a chemical burn to the eye, immediate first aid is necessary. Wash the eye with great quantities of water. It is extremely important to remove every trace of the chemical, especially if a strong alkali is the harmful substance. This first aid is so important that the first-aider should continue pouring water over the open eye even while the victim is being transported to a doctor or hospital.