RE: [Paddlewise] what was missed during Mark's mis-adventure

From: Seng, Dave <Dave_Seng_at_health.state.ak.us>
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 13:12:52 -0800
Dave wrote:

> >   - it seemed as though no-one addressed the possible shock 
> issue during the
> > initial treatment (always treat for shock in trauma cases - 
> and in my mind
> > having a paddle shaft shoved into your leg counts as trauma!)

Mark replied:

> please expand on this....

  Not sure why you've asked me to expand on this, because in the end you
proved that you weren't suffering from traumatic shock.  In any serious
traumatic injury I always treat for shock (I once had to explain to two
passersby how to treat _me_ for shock after I recovered consciousness after
a bad motorcycle accident). 
  Shock can be insidious and once it sets in it's difficult to treat in the
field.  Get the victim down, cover them with something to keep them warm,
elevate the feet for anything other than a head injury, for a head injury
raise the head.  (Face is red, raise the head - Face is pale, raise the
tail)  Simple steps that can be done quickly and easily while other primary
attention is being given to the wound/fracture, etc.  It doesn't hurt to do
it and it can safe a life.
  Signs of shock can include (but aren't limited to):

Pale, clammy skin
Rapid, shallow breathing
Nausea
Thirst
Evidence of a loss of body fluids
Weak or rapid pulse
Loss of consciousness

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska

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Received on Thu Aug 10 2000 - 14:18:54 PDT

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