The invention relates to a shock absorber (100) especially for use as an additional irreversible shock absorbing element in combination with a component for transmitting force. In order to reliably absorb high impact energies, a shock absorber (100) comprises the following elements: a base plate (1); a force transmitting element (3) having a tensioning element (4); an energy absorption element in the form of a deformable tube (5) which is connected to the base plate (1) via a first end section; and a connecting element (6) for detachably connecting the force transmitting element (3) to a second end section of the deformable tube (5), the connecting element (6) pressing against the tensioning element (4) in such a manner that the deformable tube (5) is tensioned between the tensioning element (4) and the base plate (1) without play.