When an individual goes into shock, the circulatory system breaks down. This can have various causes (e.g. severe blood or fluid losses, heart attack or allergies).
Signs of shock are pale, cold skin, cold sweat on the forehead, freezing, and a racing pulse, which becomes increasingly weak and extreme patient unrest. Shock can be life-threatening.
That is why you must act immediately: Lay the patient down flat in a comfortable position; prevent the patient from losing heat, but do not make him/her too warm either.
Is the patient conscious and are there no head and chest injuries or broken legs? If so, then elevate the legs and cover patient up (e.g. with a first aid blanket) to prevent any heat loss. Then call the emergency doctor and avoid all movement as far as possible!
Important: Calm patient down, do not give him/her alcohol under any circumstances. If the patient is bleeding heavily, arrest the bleeding. Check breathing and pulse; if necessary, administer artificial respiration.
