|
Bleeding
Minor cuts, scratches and grazes
Treatment
- Wash and dry your own hands.
- Cover any cuts on your own hands and put on disposable gloves.
 Clean the cut, if dirty, under running water. Pat dry with a sterile dressing or clean lint-free material. If possible, raise
affected area above the heart.
- Cover the cut temporarily while you clean the surrounding skin with soap and water and pat the surrounding skin dry. Cover
the cut completely with a sterile dressing or plaster.
Severe bleeding
Treatment
 Put on disposable gloves.
- Apply direct pressure to the wound with a pad (e.g. a clean cloth) or fingers until a sterile dressing is available.
- Raise and support the injured limb. Take particular care if you suspect a bone has been broken.
- Lay the casualty down to treat for shock.
- Bandage the pad or dressing firmly to control bleeding, but not so tightly that it stops the circulation to fingers or
toes. If bleeding seeps through first bandage, cover with a second bandage. If bleeding continues to seep through bandage,
remove it and reapply.
- Treat for Shock.
- Dial 112 for an ambulance.
Remember: Protect yourself from infection by wearing disposable gloves and covering any wounds on your
hands.
If blood comes through the dressing DO NOT remove it – bandage another over the original.
If blood seeps through BOTH dressings, remove them both and replace with a fresh dressing, applying pressure over the site
of bleeding.
Objects in wounds
Where possible, swab or wash small objects out of the wound with clean water. If there is a large object embedded:
Treatment
 Leave it in place.
- Apply firm pressure on either side of the object.
- Raise and support the wounded limb or part.
- Lay the casualty down to treat for Shock.
- Gently cover the wound and object with a sterile dressing.
- Build up padding around the object until the padding is higher than the object, then bandage over the object without pressing
on it.
- Depending on the severity of the bleeding, dial 112 for an ambulance or take the casualty to hospital.
|
