Title: Capillary refill
Course: Level 3 - First Aid > Section: Assessment and identification of emergency conditions

Capillary refill is evaluated to assess the ability of the circulatory system to restore blood to the capillary system.

Fig. 17. Checking capillary refill.

Capillary refill should be prompt and the nail bed colour should be pink, with adequate perfusion, the colour in the nail bed should be restored to its normal pink within 2 seconds. Or about the time it takes to say "capillary refill" at a normal rate of speech.