The first step in treating physical shock is to lay the victim flat in a safe place. The second thing you should do is

• A. Raise his/her feet six inches above his/her head
• B. Keep them warm
• C. Give them something to drink
• D. Check breathing

Answer: (A)

Elevating the legs helps improve blood flow back to the heart. By raising the legs about six inches, gravity assists venous return, which can help raise blood pressure slightly and improve perfusion to the brain and vital organs during shock. Do this only if there’s no risk of spinal injury or leg/pelvic fracture, since moving someone with those injuries can cause more harm. Keeping them warm is supportive but doesn’t directly boost circulation, giving something to drink isn’t safe if the person may choke or can’t swallow, and while checking breathing is essential, the action that directly aids circulation as the next immediate step is to raise the legs.