Bleeding and Wounds

Providing First Aide

Wounds involve injury to soft

tissues.

classifications

Open-break in skin

Closed-no break in
skin or mucous
membraneinjury
occurs to underlying
tissue

Open
...closed

Complications

Bleeding
Infection
Tetanus (lockjaw)

Serious infection

caused by bacteria

Classification of wounds

Abrasion

Skin is scraped of
Bleeding limited
Dirt and
contaminants often
enter this type of
wound.prevent
infection

Incision
Injury caused by
sharp object (knife,
scissors, razor)
Edges of wound
smooth
If deep bleeding
heavy
Damage to muscles,
nerves, tissues
possible

Laceration

Tearing of tissues by
excessive force
Jagged, irregular
edges
Bleeding-heavy
Contamination may
lead to infection

Puncture

Cause by sharp
object (pin, nail,
pointed instrument)
Bleedinglimited.but internal
bleeding can occur
Chance of infection
is increased
Tetanus may develop
if tetanus bacteria
present

Avulsion

Tissues are torn or

separated form the
victims body
Can result in a piece
of tissue hanging
from the ear, nose,
hand, etc.
Bleeding-heavy
Care should be taken
to preserve the body
part while caring for
the wound

Amputation

Body part is cut of

and separated from
body
Loss of finger, toe,
hand or other body
part
Care must be taken
to preserve the
body partsurgeon
may be able to
reattach

https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=9up5Hy5lMrE&oref=https%3A%
2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%
3Fv%3D9up5Hy5lMrE&has_verifie
d=1

First aid-amputation

Wrap part in cold

moist dressing
Use sterile water or
normal saline if
available
Place wrapped part
in plastic bag to keep
moist
Keep bag cool or put
in ice water
NEVER place body
part directly on ice
Transport body part
with the victim

Controlling bleeding
First priority
Possible to bleed to
death in short
period of time

Types of bleeding

Arterial

Blood spurts
Heavy blood
loss
Bright red
LIFE
THREATENI
NG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fFHikNg
kuE

Venous
Blood loss is
slower, steady
Dark red,
maroon
Easier to
control

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
0tpiWsGWwaw

Capillary

Blood oozes

https://www.youtub
e.com/watch?v=Z-_J
B6sErNI

Always use..

Standard
Precautions

Gloves
Thick layers of
dressings
Avoid contact of
blood with your
skin
Wash hands
ASAP after
giving first aid
to victim

Four main methods to control

bleeding
1.

Direct pressure

Apply pressure
directly to wound
with dressing
If no dressing
available

Use clean cloth

In major

emergency may
have to use bare
hand.but this
should be avoided
if possible

Direct pressure
cont.
Apply pressure 5-10
minutes
If blood soaks
throughcont to
add dressings
Do not disturb
dressing.clotting
Pressure will usually
stop bleeding.

2. Elevation

Raise injured part

above level of
heart.
Gravity will
decrease blood flow
Continue to apply
direct pressure
while elevating

Do not elevate if
fractures suspected

3. Pressure
bandage

Applied to hold
dressing in place
Maintain direct
pressure & elevation
while applying pressure
bandage
Check pulse site below
bandage to make sure
bandage is not too
tight
Pulse present
No discoloration of skin
Loosen or replace

bandage if circulation
is impaired.

4. Pressure on
pressure points

Used when other

steps do not relieve
bleeding.
Apply pressure to
main artery and
press it against
underlying bone
Should not be used
any longer than
absolutely
necessary

https://www.youtube.com/wa
tch?v=a2zwU2c-HZo

2 main pressure
points

Brachial arterylocated half way

between elbow and
axilla (armpit)
Femoral artery in
leg-located in groin

cont

When bleeding
stops
Slowly release

pressure on
pressure point
Continue direct
pressure &
elevation
If bleeding starts
again, reapply
pressure to
pressure point

First aid for minor wounds

without severe bleeding

Wash hands
Gloves
Wash wound with
soap and water
Wipe in outward

direction away from

the wound
Sterile gauze if
available
Discard gauze after
each use.and use a
new gauze each time

Signs of Infection

Swelling
Heat
Redness
Pain
Fever
Pus
Red streaks

Tetanus
Caused by
clostridium tetani
Enters most
commonly through
puncture wounds
Causes painful
muscular spasms
that can lead to
respiratory failure
and in 40% death.

Embedded objects

Splinters
Small pieces of glass
Etc
Remove gently with
sterile tweezers or
clean with alcohol or
disinfectant
Objects embedded in
tissues should be left
in place and removed
by physician

Closed wounds

bruise

Cold applications to
reduce swelling

Serious closed wounds

Internal bleeding
may lead to death
s/s:

Pain
Tenderness
Swelling
Deformity
Cold and clammy
Rapid & weak pulse
Drop in B/P

Serious closed wounds cont

Uncontrolled
restlessness
Excessive thirst
Vomited blood
Blood in urine or
feces

Cont

Get help ASAP

Check breathing
and check for shock
Avoid unnecessary
movement
Avoid giving food or
fluid

Shock

Shock is defined as a clinical set

of signs and symptoms that are
associated with an inadequate
supply of blood to body organs
especially brain and heat.
Shock can lead to death even
though victims injuries or
illness may not be fatal
Can occur with any injury or
illness requiring first aid.

Causes of Shock

Hemorrhage or excessive loss of

blood

Excessive pain or infection

Heart attack or stroke

Poisoning by chemicals, drugs, or

gases

Lack of oxygen

Psychological trauma

Dehydration from burns, vomiting,

or diarrhea

8 Main Types of Shock

Anaphylactic

Causes: allergic reaction to

food, medications, insect stings,
bites, or snake bites.
Blood pressure drops, Urticaria
(hives) and respiratory distress
may occur

Cardiogenic

Causes: damage to heart

muscle from heart attack or
cardiac arrest

Types of Shock
cont..

Hemorrhagic
Causes: severe bleeding or loss
of blood plasma
Decrease in blood volume
causes blood pressure to drop
Decreased blood flow to body
cells

Metabolic

Causes: loss of body fluid from

severe vomiting, diarrhea, or a
heat illness
Also caused by disruption in
acid-base balance as occurs in
diabetes. Blood Pressure drops

Types of Shock cont

Neurogenic
Causes: Injury and trauma to
brain and\or spinal cord
Blood vessels dilate and blood
pressure drops

Psychogenic

Causes: emotional distress such

as anger, fear, or grief
Emotional response causes
sudden dilation of blood vessels
Some individuals faint

Types of Shock cont..

Respiratory

Septic

Causes: Trauma to respiratory

tract; respiratory distress or
arrest (chronic disease,
choking)

Causes: acute infection such

as toxic shock syndrome
Blood pressure drops
When shock occurs, the body
attempts to increase blood
flow to the brain, heart, and
vital organs by reducing blood
flow to other body parts.

Signs and Symptoms of Shock

Skin is pale or bluish-gray in

color; Check nail beds and
mucous membrane around the
mouth
Skin is cool or cold to the touch
Diaphoresis or excessive
perspiration, clammy
Rapid and weak pulse
At times radial pulse is too weak
to be felt
Check pulse at carotid artery of
this occurs
Respirations are rapid, shallow,
and may be irregular

Signs and Symptoms cont..

Blood pressure is very low and may

not be obtainable
General weakness
Victim becomes listless and
confused
Eventually victim looses
consciousness
Anxiety and extreme restlessness
Excessive thirst
Nausea and\or vomiting
Blurred vision
Eyes appear sunken with vacant or
confused expression

Signs and Symptoms

cont..

Pupils may become larger, or

dilate

Tx. Obtain medical help for

victim as soon as possible
because shock is life threatning

Goals of Treatment for

shock

Control Bleeding
Provide oxygen if available
Ease pain through position change
Provide emotional support
Improve circulation
Maintain body temperature
DO NOT move the victim unless it is
necessary to keep out of danger
Keep victim lying flat on back to
improve circulation
Raise feet 12 inches to provide
additional blood supply to heart and
brain

Cont

Victim vomiting or has bleeding

injuries of jaw or mouth
Position victim on side
Prevents choking on blood, vomitus,
ect.
Maintain body temperature
Cover victim with blankets or
additional clothing
Avoid overheating
Avoid giving victim anything to eat
or drink
If victim complains of excessive
thirst, use wet cloth to moisten lips
and mouth and provide comfort