First Aid For Wounds: Step by Step Guide
Wounds can be scary, and scary situations can make people anxious, worsening the situation. Wounds can also be a bit embarrassing when others witness them. Wounds can be scary because they require medical attention. The good news is that first aid for wounds is an essential skill that everyone can use.
Anyone who uses a knife, a needle, a machete, or other tools could be injured and need to know how to care for a wound. A first aid kit is essential in any household, and it is necessary for people who spend time outdoors.
FIRST AID FOR WOUNDS: STEP BY STEP PROCEDURE)
1. Gather supplies
You will need to gather supplies from your first aid kit and home. – sterile supplies: alcohol pads, gauze, bandages, scissors, tweezers, gauze pads, surgical gloves – disinfectant wipes: to clean wounds and open skin – meds: ibuprofen, antibiotics, pain medication – moleskin, gauze, tape – sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat
2. Stop the bleeding
There are many different ways to stop bleeding, but the easiest is to cut the bleeding area with a sterile bandage. If the bleeding is minor, you can wrap the wound with a bandage. If the bleeding is more severe, you can use a sterile bandage to pressure the wound. There are also many different ways to apply pressure to stop bleeding. This method is called direct pressure, and you do this by putting your hand directly on the wound.
3. Remove any debris
If you are bleeding or have an open wound, it is essential to remove any debris from the wound. Clean the wound with a disinfectant wipe and remove foreign objects like dirt or rocks. If the wound is bleeding, you can clean it with an alcohol pad. You can also use a sterile swab to disinfect the wound if needed. Make sure the wound is completely dry before you bandage it.
4. Exposure assessment
If the person is injured and exposed to an infection, it is essential to assess the exposure. It would help if you determined how the person was exposed to the infection or the wound. Was the person injured, or were they in contact with someone injured?
5. Care for the injury
First aid for wounds covers a lot of different steps, but the basics are cleaning, drying, and bandaging. Cleaning out the wound is an essential step to removing anything causing infection.
6. Cover the injury
If you are treating a wound, you will want to cover the wound with a sterile bandage. Sterile bandages are easy to obtain and easy to apply. You can get sterile gloves at your local pharmacy, but it is acceptable to use non-sterile gloves to treat the wound you are caring for. Make sure the wound is completely dry before you bandage it. Make sure you wash your hands and your equipment after treating any wound.
7. Final assessment
Once you have treated the wound, it is essential to assess it. This includes looking for signs of infection, bleeding, or signs the injury is getting worse.
WHAT ARE SELF SANITATION STEPS TO BE FOLLOWED BEFORE CARRYING OUT FIRST AID FOR WOUNDS?
Self sanitation involves preparing your body for any first aid task you have to carry out. You need to follow specific steps before carrying out any first aid task. They include:
1. Remove any jewelry
Always remove any jewelry before carrying out any first aid task. This includes rings, bracelets, necklaces, and any other accessories you’re wearing. This is for a couple of reasons. You could be putting yourself at risk of injury. If you’re trying to close a wound with the tip of a ring, you could pin the cut open. You could also miss the cut entirely.
2. Wash your hands
This is one of the first steps you take when preparing to carry out any task. You can use soap, hand sanitizer, or any other hand sanitizer. Soap can be harsh on the cut, leaving it dry and open to infection.
3. Dampen hair and dry skin
While carrying out any first aid task, you’re putting your hands directly on the cut. You’ll be exposing it to dirt and debris, which are things you want to keep away from your cut. When washing your hands, you should also be dampening your hair.
4. Wear protective clothing
When you’re carrying out any first aid task on your skin, you should wear protective clothing in addition to gloves. Gloves can protect your hands and other body parts from cuts, scrapes, and burns. They can also help protect your fingers from becoming extremely calloused. There are different types of gloves. Some are designed to protect against specific hazards.
5. Apply an antiseptic cream or gel
When all other steps have been followed, you can finish by applying an antiseptic cream or gel. This should be used after all of the other measures have been completed. It’ll finish off the process by disinfecting your hands.
Precaution To Be Taken While Dealing With Wounds:
Dealing with a wound isn’t just about cleaning it and bandaging it. It’s about taking precautions so that it doesn’t get infected and you don’t get re-injured. The following are some of the most important precautions that you must take while dealing with wounds:
1. Don’t Rub the Wound
This is one of the most important precautions you must take when dealing with a wound. It would help if you never rubbed the wound, which can lead to the wound getting infected. If you must clean the wound, make sure you use a moist towelette or a saline wet wash, not rubbing alcohol. This will prevent the wound from getting infected.
2. Keep the Wound Dry
You must apply a dry dressing to the wound and keep the wound dry using an airtight dressing. A moist wound is prone to infection, so you must keep the wound dry. You must not attempt to put the wound under a bandage if it’s wet. Trying to do so will lead to the wound getting infected.
3. Keep a constant Check on the wound
You must take the necessary precautions to ensure that the wound doesn’t become infected. If you have a wound that hasn’t healed after a few months, you must constantly check it. This will help you discover whether or not the wound is actively getting infected or if it’s just taking longer than usual for the wound to heal.
4. Be aware of the signs and symptoms
If you’ve just received a wound, you must be aware of the signs and symptoms that it could potentially be showing you. You must be careful not to assume that your wound is just the same as any other wound because there’s a chance that it could be showing you some sign that it’s actively getting infected. If you notice any symptoms like redness, pain, excessive drainage, or a foul smell coming from the wound, you must get it checked out immediately.
Conclusion
The most important thing you can do when dealing with a wound is not to re-injure it. Avoid rubbing the wound and keep it dry, keep it clean and bandage it. If you notice any signs of infection, clean the wound, apply an antiseptic ointment and bandage it again.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of infection and treating them as soon as they appear is the best way to prevent an infection.
