| 1. |
Various
Types Of Wound
Wounds are injuries to our skin or tissues. Wounds often
bleed and if treated improperly bleeding will result in
deterioration of the injury or infection.
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(1) |
Incised
Wound
The skin tissue is cut evenly. If the major vessels are
injured, heavy bleeding will occur.
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(2) |
Lacerated
Wound
The wound has ragged edge and bleeding is caused by laceration
of the blood vessels. This type of wound is usually covered
with dirt, mud or dust.
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(3) |
Contused
Wound
The inner skin tissues are bleeding and the epidermis
will change colour.
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(4) |
Punctured
Wounds
Wounds are generally small but they can be so deep that
inner skin tissues will be damaged.
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(5) |
Gun
Shot Wounds
The bullet may remain in the body or pass through it.
Therefore it is possible to have one or more wounds. A
bullet entering the body will cause damage to our inner
tissues, organs or the spine.
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| 2. |
Symptoms Of Bleeding
Bleeding occurs when blood vessels are damaged or torn.
Bleeding can be divided into three main categories: arterial
bleeding; venous bleeding and capillary bleeding. When
heavy bleeding occurs, the injured will have these clinical
features: pulse accelerating but weakening, blood pressure
dropping, feeling thirsty, skin perspiring, cold and pale,
feeling feeble and weak, feeling restless, respiration
shallow and quick, showing signs of air hunger and cyanosis.
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| 3. |
Treatment
For Bleeding
The ways to stop bleeding include direct pressure method and indirect pressure method. Direct pressure and indirect pressure methods are most commonly used in first aid. When using the direct pressure method :
- Position the injured person at rest with the injured limb elevated (except for fracture victims).
- Inspect the wound, wash with distilled water, direct pressure by hand over a dressing, and bandaging the wound.
- Do not bandage it too tightly that inference with normal blood circulation.
- Impaled objects and protruding bones should be left in place and protect with further motion. Exert direct pressure on the edge of the wound to stop bleeding
- Recheck blood circulation of the injured limb after bandaging
If the direct pressure method cannot control bleeding, apply pressure over the aterial pressure points to facilitate blood coagulation. Bleeding will normally stop if press for 5 to 10 minutes. The 2 pairs of pressure point are :
- Brachial arteries (for forearm)
- Femoral arteries (for lower limbs)
If there is any foreign body in the wound, rinse away
any loose bit on the surface with water. Then treat the
wound as if there were no foreign body. Do not try to
remove any foreign body which is inserted deep into the
wound. Place gauze with a hole in the middle over the
wound and apply a ring pad around the foreign body or
surround the wound with dressing built up like a dam before
finishing up with bandage.
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| 4. |
Nose
Bleeding
Nose bleeding results from injury of the blood vessels
inside the nose. Nose picking, sneezing, forceful nose
rubbing or trauma to the nose can cause damage to the
nasal blood vessels. Nasal polyp and nasopharyngeal carcinoma
can also cause heavy nose bleeding. If the injured person
swallows the blood, it will cause vomiting or difficulty
in breathing.
Clinical Features :
- Blood oozing from nostrils.
- In the case of basilar cranial fracture, there will
be cerebrospinal fluid in the blood.
Treatment
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(1) |
Sit
the injured up with his head dropping forward.
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(2) |
Ask
the injured to breathe with his mouth. Then forcefully
pinch the soft part below his nasal bone and apply a cold
dressing to the forehead.
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(3) |
Ask
the injured not to swallow the blood lodged in his throat.
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(4) |
Loosen
his tight clothing.
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(5) |
If
bleeding continues after kneading his nose for 10 minutes,
continue to knead his nose for another 10 minutes.
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(6) |
Ask
the injured not to blow his nose within four hours after
bleeding stops.
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(7) |
If
nose bleeding still continues, send the injured to hospital
immediately.
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| 5. |
Treatment
of Amputations
If the limb of the injured has been amputated, the first
aid personnel must control bleeding and preserve the broken
limb which should be taken to hospital together with the
injured for rejoining operation.
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(1) |
Stop
bleeding with treatment for external bleeding.
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(2) |
Place
the amputated limb in a clean plastic bag. Then fill another
container such as a plastic case or plastic bag with ice
cubes and put the amputated limb inside. Do not soak the
amputated limb in or wash it with water. Do not allow
the amputated limb to have direct contact with ice cubes.
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(3) |
Send
the injured to hospital together with the amputated limb.
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Important notices