Bleeding & Shock

Bleeding

Depends on severity and rate of blood loss:

Class 1 (up to 15%) – usually well tolerated, minimal signs and symptoms. Heart rate over 100 beats per minute.
Class 2 (15 – 30%) – Hormones released into the body, anxiety, aggression, heart rate over 100 beats per minute.
Class 3 (40%) – Decompensation starts to occur with pallor of face and extremities, anxiousness, aggression and drowsiness, shallow breathing with a marked increase per minute, marked increase of heart rate becoming weaker.
Class 4 (>40%) – Life threatening fluid loss with ashen complexion, cold clammy sweaty skin especially at the extremities, confusion, impaired consciousness leading to unconsciousness, coma and death.

Wear protective gloves – protect yourself and keep wound as sterile as possible.
Minor bleeding (Class 1) – focus on stopping germs and bacteria getting in.
Major bleeding (Class 2+) – focus on stopping bleeding.
Apply direct pressure and elevate if no fracture.
Clean around the wound using antiseptic wipes and apply sterile dressing. If bleeding continues, apply fresh dressings but do not remove the first dressing.
For major bleeding (Class 2+), call Emergency Services.

Compensated Shock (body maintains blood pressure): Cold, pale and clammy skin, cyanosis, increased but shallow breathing, weak rapid pulse, confusion, nausea, agitation, restlessness, marked thirst.
Decompensated Shock (body unable to maintain blood pressure): Falling blood pressure, loss of peripheral pulses, irregular breathing, poor urinary output, dilated pupils, dull eyes, thready pulse, cyanosis.

Treat obvious injury / illness first.
Reassure casualty.
Keep casualty warm.
Elevate legs EXCEPT in cases of heart disorders, abdominal / chest injuries, head or spinal injury, severe hypothermia, unsplinted broken legs and snake bites.
Call Expedition Supervisor & Emergency Services.

Factsheet - Bleeding & Shock