Emergency

Shock (Medical)

Medical shock is a life-threatening drop in circulation — lay the person down, raise their legs, keep them warm, and call 999.

When to call 999. Call 999 immediately if you suspect shock — signs include pale, cold, clammy skin, a fast, weak pulse, rapid shallow breathing, thirst, dizziness, restlessness, confusion or drowsiness, often after bleeding, burns or serious illness.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review

What to do

  1. Call 999 and treat any obvious cause, such as controlling severe bleeding.
  2. Help the person lie down on their back.
  3. Raise and support their legs above the level of the heart, unless this would worsen an injury.
  4. Keep them warm with a coat or blanket, but do not overheat them.
  5. Loosen tight clothing and reassure them to keep them as calm as possible.
  6. Do not give food or drink; if they complain of thirst, moisten their lips only. If they become unresponsive and stop breathing normally, start CPR.

Avoid

What not to do

Do not give the person anything to eat or drink (they may need surgery, and it risks choking), do not leave them alone, and do not raise the legs if you suspect a broken leg, spinal injury or serious head injury.

Afterwards and while you wait

Keep monitoring breathing and consciousness while waiting, and keep treating the cause where possible, such as maintaining pressure on a wound. Medical shock is an emergency that always needs hospital treatment, so do not delay 999.

Education and reference only. This is general first-aid information aligned with UK guidance, not a substitute for a hands-on first-aid course or professional emergency care. In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 straight away.

Answers

Shock (Medical): frequently asked questions

Is this the same as feeling shocked emotionally?

No. Medical (circulatory) shock is a dangerous failure of the circulation to deliver enough blood and oxygen to the body, quite different from the emotional shock of a frightening event. It is a life-threatening emergency.

What causes medical shock?

Common causes include severe bleeding, major burns, serious infection, severe allergic reaction and heart problems. Treating the underlying cause and calling 999 are essential.

Related

Other emergency first aid

Choking (Adult or Child)If someone is choking and cannot speak, cough or breathe, give firm back blows then abdomi…Choking (Baby Under 1)For a choking baby, give up to 5 back blows then up to 5 chest thrusts (never abdominal th…CPR (Unresponsive, Not Breathing)If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999, start chest compressions …Recovery PositionIf someone is unresponsive but breathing normally, place them on their side in the recover…Severe BleedingFor severe bleeding, apply firm, direct pressure to the wound, call 999, and keep pressing…Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction)For a severe allergic reaction, use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) into t…

Sources

Where this is drawn from

  • NHS — first aid
  • St John Ambulance / British Red Cross first-aid guidance
  • Resuscitation Council UK (where relevant)

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