Wound Care
What should you do if blood soaks through a dressing?
Add another dressing on top. (Unless it is a penetrating chest wound)
Burns can be categorized by their thickness. What are the three categories?
--Superficial
--Partial Thickness
--Full Thickness
When would you remove an impaled object?
When it is preventing you from caring for a life threatening condition
Should someone see a healthcare professional for a suspected concussion?
Yes! They should immediately stop all activity (work, sports, etc) and follow up with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
If you don't have sterile dressings available what can you use instead?
The cleanest materials you can find. Examples include clothing, towels, sleeping bag, pillow, etc.
What are some common signs of an infection?
--Redness, pus, heat or warmth, itchiness, swelling, tenderness
--Signs that an infection might be more serious and systemic are red streaks radiating out from the wound, nausea, fever or general malaise.
What safety precaution should a first aider take before caring for someone with an electrical burn?
Ensure the power supply has been turned off before approaching the scene.
You are getting ready to treat someone that has what looks like a minor cut to the scalp. As part of your secondary assessment you discover that they have a soft, spongy area on their head and you think you might feel a piece of bone. What do you do next?
Treat this as head injury and call EMS
Only put direct pressure on the wound if the bleeding is life-threatening. Otherwise try to control the bleeding with pressure around the wound.
Keep the person resting while waiting for EMS
When would you call 911 for a burn?
--the burn makes it difficult for the person to breathe
--the person is in a great deal of pain or becomes unresponsive
--the burns were caused by chemicals, explosions or electricity
--the burns involve a large amount of blistering or broken skin, or the burns cover the face, neck, hands, genitals or a larger surface area.
How do we care for someone with a penetrating chest wound?
Call 911 and get an AED (if available)
Have the person rest and stay still
If there is a lot of bleeding apply direct pressure, otherwise leave the wound unbandaged
If the dressing becomes saturated replace it with a clean dressing. This will allow air to escape from the wound.
How would you care for someone with a knocked out tooth?
Call 911 if the tooth was knocked out by a forceful blow.
Have them bite down on a clean dressing
Carefully pick the tooth up by the crown and place it in egg white, coconut water or whole milk. Or, wrap the tooth in gauze with the some of the person's saliva.
Get the person and the tooth to the dentist ASAP.
How would you care for someone that has a chemical burn?
Call 911
Put on protective equipment
Remove contaminated clothing from the person
Brush any dry chemical powder from the person's skin
Refer to MSDS for specific instructions - flush with large amounts of cool running water for at least 15 minutes if it is safe to do so
What should you do if someone has a chemical in their eye?
Gently flush the eye with running water for at least 15 minutes or until EMS arrives
If someone has experienced a serious crush injury what do you do?
Call EMS and get an AED (if available)
Leave the object in place unless it is restricting the person's breathing, or is crushing the person's head, neck, chest, or abdomen.
Name some examples of when you might suspect a head, neck or spinal injury?
Person is found unresponsive for unknown reasons
They have fallen from a height
They have had a strong blow to the jaw, head or torso
They have been electrocuted or struck by lightning
--For a serious burn calling EMS and getting an AED is an important first step.
--Cooling the affected area with water or a clean, cool compress (not freezing)
--Removing any jewelry or clothing from the burn site (as long as it is not stuck).
--Cover the burn loosly with a dry, sterile dressing.
If someone has an amputated body part you need call EMS and try to control the bleeding with direct pressure. If necessary use a tourniquet.
How would you protect the amputated part?
Protect it - Wrap it in gauze or a clean cloth
Bag it - Place it in a plastic bag
Cool it - Wrap the bag and place it on ice
Tag it - Label it and make sure it goes with the person
What should you do if you suspect a head, neck or spinal injury?
Call EMS and get an AED (if available)
Keep the person still while you wait for EMS (if the person is unable to support their head on their own you can manually support it in the position found)