• Remove clothing covering the wound
• Clear the surface of the wound (wash all loose dirt away)
• Clean wound with water and soap and then apply antiseptic (clean from inside the wound outwards)
• Apply a clean dressing to prevent infection.

Venous Bleeding

This is usually the result of a deep cut that opens veins. This will release blood that its way back to the heart. The blood from this wound will be dark red. It flows steadily. If left untreated, a life-threatening condition may result. You must control this bleeding. If bleeding persists after you have provided bleeding control first aid, sutures will be needed. Transport to medical centre or call EMRS.

Internal bleeding may not be visible. The signs vary depending on the nature, volume and cause of the bleeding.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Bleeding from one of the body’s orifices (nose, ear, mouth, rectum, and urethra)
• Bruise or contusion
• Signs and symptoms of shock
• Nausea and vomiting
• Painful, tender or hard spot on abdomen or chest
• Puncture or penetrating wounds
• Fractures.

First Aid Care:

• Care for shock
• Watch for vomiting
• Apply ice pack to injured area, place cloth between ice and skin
• Call EMRS!

Impaled (Foreign) Object

An impaled object can be anything from a piece of glass, metal, wood, shrapnel, knife or even a fractured bone (open fracture) sticking out of a wound.

Do not remove the object!! Control bleeding as best as possible without disturbing the object. Stabilise the object with a ring or roller bandages. Restrict the patient’s movements.

The head and face is rich in blood supply thus these injuries bleed profusely even though a major blood vessel may not have been severed. Follow Bleeding Control Sequence.

Follow Bleeding Control Sequence. Do not scrub body part. Do not place part directly on ice. Wrap part in a sterile or clean cloth. Place part or cloth in a sealed plastic bag. Place bag containing part on a bed of ice. Do not bury in ice.

Bites (Animal / Human)

Control bleeding. Clean area with soap and water for at least 5 minutes. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing. Seek medical attention for any bites that break the skin. Any human or animal bites may cause infection. A tetanus immunization may be recommended.

An injury that breaks the skin can lead to infection. Common symptoms include wound area becoming hot, red, swollen and painful. Wound may discharge pus. Red streaks may develop near wound. Victim may become ill and feverish. Seek medical attention for persistent or severe infection. A tetanus immunisation can help the body fight tetanus bacterium.

Restrictive Bandages

Once the bandages have been placed the circulation below the bandages must be monitored to determine if the blood circulation has been affected. Common signs and symptoms would be the part distal to the bandage will feel cold; the patient will complain of feeling pins and needles in the part distal to the bandage and the limb will be pale or blue-grey.

The treatment is quite simple and that is to restore blood circulation by applying the bandage more loosely.

EYE INJURIES

Eye injuries are generally not life threatening. They can, however, be severely detrimental to the patient in the long term.

Foreign Objects (penetrating or superficial)

The eye will appear

• Eye - watery and red.
• Scratchiness in the eye.
• Foreign object visible in the eye when the eyelid is pulled up or down. The eyelids are opened using the thumb and forefinger.

Treatment

Foreign Objects in the Eye (Non Penetrating)

• Explain the treatment to the patient before starting.
• Rinse with clean non-irritant liquid (water, milk etc.).
• If the object is seen use wet gauze or soft tissue paper remove it.
• Should the object not be easy to remove, cover both eyes with gauze swabs kept in place with plaster.

Treatment

• Ruptured ear drum (tympanic membrane) - Tilt the head to the injured side for drainage.
• Suspected base of skull fracture - Treatment as for Neck-Spine Injuries
• Cover the ear with a sterile dressing (Do not plug the ear).
• Should the pinna (external ear) be damaged it should be placed in the correct position and kept in place by a bandage.

Nasal Injuries

Nasal injuries and bleeding are caused by various factors, namely: fractures, blows to the face, high blood pressure, blood diseases, high temperatures and climate.

• Bleeding from the nose:

Open chest wound without a penetrating object - Cover the wound to prevent outside air from getting into the chest cavity. You can use plastic to place over the opening. Leave one corner untapped as this will prevent air from being taped in the chest but allow any trapped air to escape from the chest.

Closed chest wound caused by a blow to the chest area - Have patient hold a pillow against injured area. Watch for signs of shock because there may be internal bleeding. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION!