By Einar Jensen
YourHub.com

EVERGREEN, Colo. — Patients with serious injuries and illnesses generally experience shock in addition to those primary medical problems. Shock can be deadly, which is why Evergreen Fire Rescue's paramedics are excited about their new EZ-IO Drivers, a new tool that will help them (and their patients) delay or avoid shock.

Shock, which can be deadly, can be caused by loss of fluid, damage to blood vessels, damage to the pump (heart) or insufficient oxygen. Common causes include trauma and its associated bleeding, heart failure and dehydration.

Paramedics and other medical providers often combat shock by augmenting the body's fluids, thus increasing its volume with intravenous (IV) fluids. However, serious cases of shock cause vessels to collapse as a way to move blood away from injuries and infections and to the brain and other core organs.

Full Story: Evergreen paramedics have a new tool against shock