Basic First Aid Guidelines For Tending to Wounds
The term "wound" in medical terminology means a break in the skin or mucous membranes of the body, this is called an open wound.
It can also refer to internal injuries even when there is no external cut or break, this is called a closed wound.
Wounds are also classified by the type of damage that has taken place.
So, first it is helpful to understand these basic types of wounds in order to be able to offer further first aid treatment.
We will discuss open wounds, how to evaluate what kind is present and how to treat them.
Here is a concise introduction to the types of open wounds that might occur: 1) Abrasion - Is basically a scrape or scratch in which the outer surface of the skin is injured, but without considerable bleeding.
A typical example is the scraping of a knee upon a fall on the sidewalk or the rubbing of the skin against a hard surface.
2)Incision - Is a cut on the skin that appears straight and direct as in a knife wound or glass cut.
There are clean edges, that might not be very long, but depending on the depth on the incision, this could result in excessive bleeding.
3)Avulsion - Is the term used when a part of the body has been forcibly torn away, such as in a in gun shot wound, animal bite or car accident.
Heavy blood loss is usually always the result of an avulsion.
4)Puncture - This type of damage is causes by a sharp object that pierces through the skin creating a hole of varying depths.
This type of injury tends to cover a small area and that does not bleed intensively.
5)Laceration - Is caused by a rough or blunt item that leaves a cut with irregular edges.
Bleeding can heavy and serious.
Treating Wounds Using First Aid Skills The number one rule in the treatment of open wounds is to STOP any bleeding.
Some wounds do not bleed at all and others bleed excessively.
In some situations the wound might not involve extensive measures or necessary medical attention.
Here are some basic guidelines to consider when treating these types of injuries.
~Call For Help.
Depending on the situation you might not need emergency medical help.
However, if you are witnessing a wound that won't stop bleeding or the damage is extreme..
...
call for help immediately.
If there is a joint wound, face cut, numbness or a possible risk of infection..
..
..
call for help immediately.
~Always sanitize your hands with hot water and soap before tending to a lesion, abrasion, laceration, incision, avulsion, or puncture.
~Sometimes wearing latex gloves is a good idea to avoid any infection to or from the casualty.
This creates a layer of sanitation between you and the possible contaminant.
Further action would require dressing the wound, which is taught most effectively through a First Aid training course.
It is highly recommended for any individuals who want to be prepared for possible emergency situation that involves tending to the treatment of minor, but most severe wounds, that you get proper medical training.
People who know first aid techniques can often save a life or prevent further pain and damage to the victim.
It can also refer to internal injuries even when there is no external cut or break, this is called a closed wound.
Wounds are also classified by the type of damage that has taken place.
So, first it is helpful to understand these basic types of wounds in order to be able to offer further first aid treatment.
We will discuss open wounds, how to evaluate what kind is present and how to treat them.
Here is a concise introduction to the types of open wounds that might occur: 1) Abrasion - Is basically a scrape or scratch in which the outer surface of the skin is injured, but without considerable bleeding.
A typical example is the scraping of a knee upon a fall on the sidewalk or the rubbing of the skin against a hard surface.
2)Incision - Is a cut on the skin that appears straight and direct as in a knife wound or glass cut.
There are clean edges, that might not be very long, but depending on the depth on the incision, this could result in excessive bleeding.
3)Avulsion - Is the term used when a part of the body has been forcibly torn away, such as in a in gun shot wound, animal bite or car accident.
Heavy blood loss is usually always the result of an avulsion.
4)Puncture - This type of damage is causes by a sharp object that pierces through the skin creating a hole of varying depths.
This type of injury tends to cover a small area and that does not bleed intensively.
5)Laceration - Is caused by a rough or blunt item that leaves a cut with irregular edges.
Bleeding can heavy and serious.
Treating Wounds Using First Aid Skills The number one rule in the treatment of open wounds is to STOP any bleeding.
Some wounds do not bleed at all and others bleed excessively.
In some situations the wound might not involve extensive measures or necessary medical attention.
Here are some basic guidelines to consider when treating these types of injuries.
~Call For Help.
Depending on the situation you might not need emergency medical help.
However, if you are witnessing a wound that won't stop bleeding or the damage is extreme..
...
call for help immediately.
If there is a joint wound, face cut, numbness or a possible risk of infection..
..
..
call for help immediately.
~Always sanitize your hands with hot water and soap before tending to a lesion, abrasion, laceration, incision, avulsion, or puncture.
~Sometimes wearing latex gloves is a good idea to avoid any infection to or from the casualty.
This creates a layer of sanitation between you and the possible contaminant.
Further action would require dressing the wound, which is taught most effectively through a First Aid training course.
It is highly recommended for any individuals who want to be prepared for possible emergency situation that involves tending to the treatment of minor, but most severe wounds, that you get proper medical training.
People who know first aid techniques can often save a life or prevent further pain and damage to the victim.
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