Josiah7
November 29th, 2011, 04:14 AM
Hello All :D
I am creating this thread for the benefit of all the users in the VT community. I hope that you take this simple advice and put it into practice. I feel that many people do not know exactly how to treat cuts after they are inflicted, and answer alot of questions in regard to this matter.
First Aid for Cuts;
Ok Firstly straight off the bat, if a cut is really deep, or there is a significant amount of bleeding - Seek Medical Aid. Why? Because if it cannot be controlled with measures outlined below, then it is serious, may need cleaning, and proper closure with Sutures, Staples, Steri-Strips.
There are simple steps that you can follow to have a good outcome. These steps if followed correctly, can really reduce the chance of infection and blood loss.
Ok when I teach First Aid - I tell my students that to manage bleeding- they need to remember the letters "RED" yes the colour of blood. RED is a simple process that people without training can follow.
R- REST - Yes rest, relax, be calm - why? If you get up, walk around, panic; the body increases its heart rate, with essentially means more blood is being pumped around the body faster. You do not want this if you are trying to stop bleeding. Sit down, relax, if you feel light headed - lay down with your feet elevated higher then the level of your heart.
E- ELEVATE - Elevate the limb above the level of your heart. Yes gravity is a help in this situation. If you elevate the limb higher then the heart, then the bloodflow to the limb reduces, as it is harder for the body to pump blood up there. This means holding your arm around head height, and raising your legs about 15-30 cm above the level of your heart.
D- DRESS - Clean and dress the wound. Easier said then done. The first thing you need to do is apply Firm Direct Pressure to the area - this can be done while the area is being elevated. You need to maintain this pressure for 15-20 minutes and the key thing is DO NOT TAKE THE DRESSING/TISSUE/CLOTH OFF TO PEAK OR LOOK AT THE WOUND UNTIL AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. The body starts to repair seconds after a wound occurs, it trys to clot the blood and cause it to stop bleeding. This is assisted by the pressure, if you remove it - it will start bleeding all over again. If you need more dressing/padding because blood is coming through the first layer, maintain that layer and place another layer of dressing over the first original layer.
After 15-20 minutes, remove the dressing, and inspect the wound. If it is deep, significant in size, re apply the padding and seek Medical Aid. If it is not significant, wash the area with running water (If the tap water is safe to do so in your area of the world). Wash the area gently, to rough and it will bleed again. After it has been washed apply some cream or similar to the area if it is not too deep* - then apply a dressing. The best would be a First Aid - Non Adhesive/Non Stick dressing**. But any medical sterile dressing is fine. And folks I assure you, band aids do not fix everything ;) You need to apply the appropriate size dressing, which covers all the wound. If you have a first aid kit, and there is not a big enough dressing there - you will most likely need medical aid due to the size of the wound.
*I advise against using Alcohol and Peroxide on wounds. In Australia we do not use either on open wounds as it kills good cells, as well as bad, which slows healing and can cause bacteria to feed on the dead cells. In all my training I have been told not to use it.
**Ok heres the tricky stuff. I am well aware that many people have limited First Aid supplies avaliable. I would suggest that you stock up on Gauze Pads, you can get them at super markets / chemists for really cheap prices. They are sterile, and are ideal for this.
After the wound has been dressed it needs to be redressed every 24 hours to prevent infection. You do not let cuts "Air Out" studies have shown that is a myth and increases the risk of infection.
Infection
All skin wounds/lacerations/abrasions/avulsions need to be monitored for signs of infection. If there is any of the following - It needs to be looked at by a health care professional.
-Redness (Red ring around the wound)
-Really sore
-Pus (Puss is a combination of white blood cells and skin cells used to fight infection)
-Headaches
-Swollen glands (At Groin, Armpit, Neck areas)
-Smelly wound
-Does not heal within a few days
-Swelling
-Discharge of fluid from the wound
It is important that is any of these show you need to see a doctor, if not there are serious problems which can occur.
Syncope (Fainting)
If you faint after a cut or suffer blood loss, it is important that you lay down and elevate your legs. If you do not recover promply after a few minutes and you become really weak - Call 000/911/999/112 and tell someone ie Parents (Yes those annoying people, they are there to help)
You may have lost a large amount of blood and may be going into shock - which kills quickly.
Summary/Hints
-If a wound is serious, and you cannot control bleeding Seek Medical Aid!!! An Ambulance if serious.
-Direct pressure usually stops most bleeding.
-NEVER apply a tourniquet for bleeding (We are not in combat).
-Its better to have wounds looked at by a doctor, then not to.
-Keep wounds clean.
-Avoid using Alcohol and Peroxide.
-If it looks deep - Is deep - Get it looked at.
-If you cut a blood vessel (Vain, Artery) Call a Ambulance and apply firm direct pressure with something clean.
-Use common sense - Most of the time it will be smart thinking.
-Heads bleed alot - but most head wounds should be looked at and treated by a Doc - to avoid large scarring.
I hope that you guys take something from this segment of information, and I hope I didn't bore alot of you. If I missed anything or made any mistakes, let me know and will fix them :)
Feel free to contact me whenever - I'm usually found in VT General Hospital. I am always here to help and will always use my training/knowledge to assist you. For any advice for first aid or medical myself or Dimitri will be glad to assist you.
Thank You, God Bless. :)
The Fine Print - I take no responsibility for the misuse, misinterpretation, mismanagement of my advice. This advice does not replace the need for a healthcare professional. I am not a licensed Physician/Nurse/Paramedic - but a Advanced First Aider and Athletic Trainer. This information does not train or qualify you to any level of first aid - but is just general advice. I am not liable for anything taken from this post. All advice given is from my training and knowledge in this topic area, and is based on Australian Training - management methods may be different in other regions.
I am creating this thread for the benefit of all the users in the VT community. I hope that you take this simple advice and put it into practice. I feel that many people do not know exactly how to treat cuts after they are inflicted, and answer alot of questions in regard to this matter.
First Aid for Cuts;
Ok Firstly straight off the bat, if a cut is really deep, or there is a significant amount of bleeding - Seek Medical Aid. Why? Because if it cannot be controlled with measures outlined below, then it is serious, may need cleaning, and proper closure with Sutures, Staples, Steri-Strips.
There are simple steps that you can follow to have a good outcome. These steps if followed correctly, can really reduce the chance of infection and blood loss.
Ok when I teach First Aid - I tell my students that to manage bleeding- they need to remember the letters "RED" yes the colour of blood. RED is a simple process that people without training can follow.
R- REST - Yes rest, relax, be calm - why? If you get up, walk around, panic; the body increases its heart rate, with essentially means more blood is being pumped around the body faster. You do not want this if you are trying to stop bleeding. Sit down, relax, if you feel light headed - lay down with your feet elevated higher then the level of your heart.
E- ELEVATE - Elevate the limb above the level of your heart. Yes gravity is a help in this situation. If you elevate the limb higher then the heart, then the bloodflow to the limb reduces, as it is harder for the body to pump blood up there. This means holding your arm around head height, and raising your legs about 15-30 cm above the level of your heart.
D- DRESS - Clean and dress the wound. Easier said then done. The first thing you need to do is apply Firm Direct Pressure to the area - this can be done while the area is being elevated. You need to maintain this pressure for 15-20 minutes and the key thing is DO NOT TAKE THE DRESSING/TISSUE/CLOTH OFF TO PEAK OR LOOK AT THE WOUND UNTIL AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. The body starts to repair seconds after a wound occurs, it trys to clot the blood and cause it to stop bleeding. This is assisted by the pressure, if you remove it - it will start bleeding all over again. If you need more dressing/padding because blood is coming through the first layer, maintain that layer and place another layer of dressing over the first original layer.
After 15-20 minutes, remove the dressing, and inspect the wound. If it is deep, significant in size, re apply the padding and seek Medical Aid. If it is not significant, wash the area with running water (If the tap water is safe to do so in your area of the world). Wash the area gently, to rough and it will bleed again. After it has been washed apply some cream or similar to the area if it is not too deep* - then apply a dressing. The best would be a First Aid - Non Adhesive/Non Stick dressing**. But any medical sterile dressing is fine. And folks I assure you, band aids do not fix everything ;) You need to apply the appropriate size dressing, which covers all the wound. If you have a first aid kit, and there is not a big enough dressing there - you will most likely need medical aid due to the size of the wound.
*I advise against using Alcohol and Peroxide on wounds. In Australia we do not use either on open wounds as it kills good cells, as well as bad, which slows healing and can cause bacteria to feed on the dead cells. In all my training I have been told not to use it.
**Ok heres the tricky stuff. I am well aware that many people have limited First Aid supplies avaliable. I would suggest that you stock up on Gauze Pads, you can get them at super markets / chemists for really cheap prices. They are sterile, and are ideal for this.
After the wound has been dressed it needs to be redressed every 24 hours to prevent infection. You do not let cuts "Air Out" studies have shown that is a myth and increases the risk of infection.
Infection
All skin wounds/lacerations/abrasions/avulsions need to be monitored for signs of infection. If there is any of the following - It needs to be looked at by a health care professional.
-Redness (Red ring around the wound)
-Really sore
-Pus (Puss is a combination of white blood cells and skin cells used to fight infection)
-Headaches
-Swollen glands (At Groin, Armpit, Neck areas)
-Smelly wound
-Does not heal within a few days
-Swelling
-Discharge of fluid from the wound
It is important that is any of these show you need to see a doctor, if not there are serious problems which can occur.
Syncope (Fainting)
If you faint after a cut or suffer blood loss, it is important that you lay down and elevate your legs. If you do not recover promply after a few minutes and you become really weak - Call 000/911/999/112 and tell someone ie Parents (Yes those annoying people, they are there to help)
You may have lost a large amount of blood and may be going into shock - which kills quickly.
Summary/Hints
-If a wound is serious, and you cannot control bleeding Seek Medical Aid!!! An Ambulance if serious.
-Direct pressure usually stops most bleeding.
-NEVER apply a tourniquet for bleeding (We are not in combat).
-Its better to have wounds looked at by a doctor, then not to.
-Keep wounds clean.
-Avoid using Alcohol and Peroxide.
-If it looks deep - Is deep - Get it looked at.
-If you cut a blood vessel (Vain, Artery) Call a Ambulance and apply firm direct pressure with something clean.
-Use common sense - Most of the time it will be smart thinking.
-Heads bleed alot - but most head wounds should be looked at and treated by a Doc - to avoid large scarring.
I hope that you guys take something from this segment of information, and I hope I didn't bore alot of you. If I missed anything or made any mistakes, let me know and will fix them :)
Feel free to contact me whenever - I'm usually found in VT General Hospital. I am always here to help and will always use my training/knowledge to assist you. For any advice for first aid or medical myself or Dimitri will be glad to assist you.
Thank You, God Bless. :)
The Fine Print - I take no responsibility for the misuse, misinterpretation, mismanagement of my advice. This advice does not replace the need for a healthcare professional. I am not a licensed Physician/Nurse/Paramedic - but a Advanced First Aider and Athletic Trainer. This information does not train or qualify you to any level of first aid - but is just general advice. I am not liable for anything taken from this post. All advice given is from my training and knowledge in this topic area, and is based on Australian Training - management methods may be different in other regions.