Trauma: What to Do Right After an Injury or Shock

Trauma can be a sudden hit to the body or to your mind. What you do in the first minutes and hours matters. Use simple, clear actions: stop heavy bleeding, protect the airway, and get help fast. Stay calm—panic makes things worse for everyone.

If someone’s breathing badly, unconscious, confused, or bleeding a lot, call emergency services now. Don’t move a person with suspected spine or neck injury unless they’re in immediate danger (fire, drowning). For obvious broken bones, keep the limb still and support it with anything firm you have.

Quick physical first aid that works

Start with the ABCs: Airway, Breathing, Circulation. If the airway is blocked, try to clear obvious obstructions. If breathing stops, give CPR if you know how. For bleeding, press firm, direct pressure with a clean cloth. If blood soaks through, add more cloth on top—don’t remove the first layer.

For smaller wounds: rinse with clean water, pat dry, apply an antiseptic if available, and cover with a sterile dressing. Use ice wrapped in a cloth for swollen joints or soft-tissue injuries—15–20 minutes on, then off. Don’t use direct ice on skin. If a wound is deep, gaping, punctured, or from an animal bite, see a doctor right away—these often need stitches or antibiotics.

Check tetanus status: get a booster if the wound is dirty and your last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago.

Pain, medicines, and safe drug advice

For pain, paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen can help for mild to moderate pain—follow the dose on the package or what your clinician says. Severe trauma often needs stronger prescription meds; those should only come from a licensed provider and pharmacy. Avoid buying controlled pain meds from unverified online sites—fake or unsafe drugs are a real risk.

If an open fracture or deep wound is present, a clinician may prescribe antibiotics. For head injuries, watch for worsening headache, repeated vomiting, confusion, unequal pupils, or unusual sleepiness—these are red flags for emergency care.

Mental trauma matters, too. After a scary injury people often feel numb, jumpy, or unable to sleep. Those are normal short-term stress reactions. If intrusive memories, panic, or intense avoidance continue for weeks, consider talking to a mental health professional. Early support—someone who listens without judging—makes recovery faster. Simple steps like regular sleep, gentle movement, and predictable daily routines help stabilize mood.

Quick checklist: stop heavy bleeding, protect the airway, stabilize suspected broken bones, clean minor wounds, use ice for swelling, check tetanus, use OTC pain meds sensibly, and seek urgent care for head, chest, or severe limb injuries. For emotional shock, stay with the person, offer calm support, and get professional help if symptoms persist or worsen.

If you’re unsure about next steps, call your local emergency line or a nurse advice service. Acting fast and smart can change the outcome after trauma—both for the body and the mind.