Hypovolemic shock: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Suspected hypovolemic shock is always an emergency.

   Call emergency services if someone has major bleeding or fluid loss together with fainting, confusion, severe weakness, rapid breathing, cool clammy skin, or a fast weak pulse.

   Follow instructions from the emergency call handler

   New fainting, confusion, heavy bleeding, breathing difficulty, or rapidly worsening weakness is not a routine follow-up issue and needs urgent emergency assessment.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Do not wait for blood pressure to fall.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Routine follow-up is appropriate after discharge for ongoing tiredness, anemia checks, wound review, kidney monitoring, or management of the original cause.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Hypovolemic shock. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.