cuts, scrapes, & bruises community first aid & safety
TRANSCRIPT
Cuts, Scrapes, & Bruises
Community First Aid & Safety
Cuts, Scrapes, & Bruises
Blood- 60,000 miles of blood vessels
Heart
Arteries
Veins
Capillaries
Stitches
Uncontrollable bleeding
Wounds that show muscle, bones, joints
Large and deep puncture wounds
Embedded objects
Human / animal bites
Types of Wounds
Contusion (bruise)
Abrasion (scrape)
Incision (cut / laceration)
Avulsion
Puncture
Contusion (Bruise)
Damage to soft tissues & blood vessels causes bleeding under the skin
At first it may appear red
Turn purple
Scrape (abrasion)
Most common type of wound caused by skin that has been rubbed or scrapped awayUsually painful because scraping away of outer skin exposes nerve endings
Incision (cut / laceration)
May be jagged or smooth edges
Commonly caused by sharp objects
Can also be caused by a blow from a blunt object
Avulsion
A cut in which a portion of the skin or other soft tissue is partially / completely torn away
May hang like a flap
Severed (finger)
Puncture
Caused when a pointed object pieces the skin (nail, tack, bullet)
An object that remains embedded in the wound is called an impaled object
Signs of Infection
Swollen / redness
Warm / throb / pain
Pus discharge
Fever, feel ill
Red streaks
Care for Infection
Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin)
Soak in warm water
Elevate
Change coverings
If persists or worsens- seek a physician
Caring for Soft Tissue Injuries
Closed Wound (internal injuries)Apply something cold to control swellingSignals of Internal Bleeding Tender, swollen, bruised Rapid / weak pulse Skin (cool, moist, pale, bluish) Vomiting / coughing up blood Excessive thirst Confused, faint, drowsy or unconscious
Caring for an Open Wound
Control bleeding (sterile dressing-direct pressure)Raise / elevate above heart (if no broken bone is suspected)Apply bandage snugly over dressing (if bleeding does not stop apply additional dressing)If bleeding cannot be controlled, put pressure to supplying artery
Continued
Call EMS
Care for shock
Wash hands after care
Shock
Signals of Shock
Restlessness / irritability
Altered consciousness
Nausea
Pale, cool, moist skin
Rapid breathing
Rapid pulse
Caring for Shock
Have victim lie down, elevate legs about 12” (unless you suspect head, neck, back injuries)Call 9-1-1Control any external bleedingHelp victim maintain body temperatureDo not give food or drinkReassure victim
Special Situations
Severed Body Part
Wrap the part completely in gauze or a clean towel. Wet the towel with cool water. Place the wrapped body part in a plastic bag & seal it shut.Place the sealed bag in to another bag or bucket filled with ice. Take the bag with the amputated body part to the hospital with the victim.
Embedded Objects
Do not remove it
Place several objects around object to support it
Eye-cover both eyes
Organs that Break Through the Abdomen
Carefully remove clothing from around the move
Cover organs with a moist, sterile / clean dressing
Cover dressing with plastic wrap
Place a folded towel / cloth to keep warm