Wounds and bleeding are everyday accidents that can happen within the home or outside. Knowing the basics of first aid can help prevent further damage to the victim and save lives too. The most important thing to remember when dispensing first aid for wounds and bleeding is that for open wounds, it is essential to first stop the bleeding. Most bleeding can be controlled with a combination of direct pressure over the wound and elevation of the limb.
Hygiene and first aid tips for tending to wounds and bleeding
The first aid giver needs to wash his/her hands thoroughly before beginning treatment to avoid risk of infection to the victim or self. If latex gloves are handy, don these before touching the injured person and wear protective glasses/mask if tending to wounds where blood is spurting.
- To minimize risk of any possibility of spreading of infectious disease, have the injured person apply direct pressure to the wound whenever possible. This is a necessary precaution in the face of fatal diseases that are highly infectious in nature, be it AIDS or hepatitis, which are transmitted by the exchange of bodily fluids.
- If the necessary safety gear is not available, the first aid giver can improvise by using a plastic bag to cover hands and tie a bandanna over the mouth.
- Pressure and elevation are the two most crucial steps when tending to wounds and bleeding and packing the opening of the wound with sterile gauze, if wound is large and wide, is the first step in treatment.
- Direct pressure should be applied to the wound by pressing with the hand and a piece of sterile gauze/ clean cloth and this pressure needs to be steadily maintained for about 5 minutes, then released slowly to check for bleeding. Most minor wounds stop bleeding within 2 to 5 minutes.
- The affected limb should be raised above the heart when pressure is being applied only if the wound is on a limb and fracture is ruled out.
- If bandages become blood-soaked, it is better to layer the wound with additional sterile bandages on top instead of attempting to remove the gauze already in place as this can disrupt the clotting.
If bleeding does not stop after half an hour, immediate steps must be taken to reach him/her to a medical facility for further assistance.
Overview of first aid measures for wounds and bleeding
The first aid giver, when tending to a victim with wounds and bleeding, needs to ensure all possible efforts are in place to first stem the bleeding as serious bleeding can become fatal in just a few minutes. The primary aim of giving first aid for wounds and bleeding is to stop the bleeding, prevent infection and stop the victim from going into shock. The role of a pressure bandage is essential in stopping bleeding and helping blood clot and therefore it is necessary to do this steadily.