Hesperian Health Guides
How to Give Fluids to Treat Shock
Losing a lot of blood—for example, during childbirth, after a complicated miscarriage or abortion, or from a bad burn or wound—can send someone into shock.
Someone in shock needs fluids fast or they can die. If the person is awake and can drink fluids, help them drink. Also, if you know how, you can start an intravenous drip (IV). In an emergency, an enema can be used instead (see below). But enemas should be used for emergencies only. Using too many enemas can be harmful.
How to make rehydration drink
| 2 ways to make rehydration drink | ||||||||
| If you can, add half a cup of fruit juice, coconut water, or mashed ripe banana to either drink. These contain potassium, a mineral which helps a sick person accept more food and drink. | ||||||||
| 1. With sugar and salt. (You can use raw sugar or molasses instead of sugar.) | 2. With powdered cereal and salt. (Powdered rice is best. But you can use finely ground maize, wheat flour, sorghum, or cooked and mashed potatoes.) | |||||||
| In 1 liter of clean WATER |
put | half of a level teaspoon of SALT | and 8 level teaspoons of SUGAR. | In 1 liter of clean WATER | put half of a level teaspoon of SALT | and 8 heaping teaspoons of powdered CEREAL. | ||
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 Boil for 5 to 7 minutes to form a liquid gruel or watery porridge. Cool the drink quickly and begin to give it to the sick person. |
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CAUTION! Before adding the sugar, taste the drink and be sure it is less salty than tears. |
CAUTION! Taste the drink each time before you give it to make sure that it has not spoiled. Cereal drinks can spoil within a few hours in hot weather. | |||||||
Rehydration drink will also help treat and prevent dehydration, especially in cases of severe watery diarrhea.
How to give rectal fluids
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You will need:
- a clean enema bag, or a can or tin with tubing.
- a cloth to place under the person.
- 600 ml (a little more than ½ a liter bottle) of warm (not hot) drinking water. If you have them, sugar and salt rehydration drink or a bag of IV solution can be used instead.
What to do:
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Make sure her body is higher than her head.
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- Explain what you are doing and why.
- Wash your hands.
- Have the person lie on their left side. Put a pillow or cloth under their head for comfort.
- If you have them, put on clean gloves.
- Let the water come down to the end of the tube to get the air out. Then pinch the tubing to stop the flow.
- Wet the end of the tube with water, and slide it into the anus. Help the person relax by telling them to take slow, deep breaths.
- Hold the bag or can near the person’s hip, just high enough for the water to run very slowly into their body. It should take about 20 minutes. If the water does not stay in, the bag may be too high. Lower the bag so the water runs in more slowly.
- Gently remove the tube. Tell the person to try and keep the water inside, and that the urge to pass stool will go away soon. If the person is unconscious, you can hold their buttocks together.
- Clean and dry the person. Then remove your gloves and wash your hands.
- Transport the person for medical help right away. If they are still in shock, you can give another enema one hour later. If they are not in shock, try to give sips of rehydration drink during transport.
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Do not put the tube in more than this much.
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This page was updated:22 Jan 2024