How should shock be treated?
Stop any bleeding by direct pressure and call urgently for medical help. Remember, shock is caused by a shortage of blood to the brain, and without blood the brain cannot function for long. Treatment must therefore be directed toward restoring the blood supply to the brain as quickly as possible. In the case of heavy bleeding or loss of body fluid, medical treatment will probably involve a transfusion to replace the blood or fluid lost. That is why it is vital to get the patient to hospital as fast as possible even when bleeding has been stemmed.
While waiting for an ambulance to arrive, keep the patient quiet, comfortable, and reassured. Above all, keep his head low, so that blood can reach the brain more easily. If possible, arrange the patient so that he is lying down with his legs raised (on pillows, cushions, or folded coats) and his head turned to one side in case he vomits. If he is unconscious, use the coma position. Loosen any tight clothing and cover him with a blanket or coat. Keep the room warm, but do not overheat the patient or use a hot water bottle to warm him. The heat from this will divert blood away from the brain, where it is vitally needed, to the skin, where it is not. Give nothing to eat or drink, except to a conscious burned casualty.