Puncture WoundsPuncture Wounds

Puncture wounds, Cuts & Puncture wounds, Cuts & Scrapes:Scrapes: Standing on a nail or being stabbed Standing on a nail or being stabbed

will result in a puncture wound with will result in a puncture wound with a small entry site, but a deep track of a small entry site, but a deep track of internal damage.internal damage.

As germs (Tetanus spores) & dirt can As germs (Tetanus spores) & dirt can be carried far into the body, be carried far into the body, infection risk is high.infection risk is high.

Prompt first aid can help nature heal Prompt first aid can help nature heal small wounds & prevent infection.small wounds & prevent infection.

But you must seek medical But you must seek medical advice:advice:

If there is a foreign body If there is a foreign body embedded in the wound.embedded in the wound.

If bleeding does not stop.If bleeding does not stop. If the wound is at special risk If the wound is at special risk

of infection (dog bite or of infection (dog bite or puncture by dirty object).puncture by dirty object).

If an old wound shows signs of If an old wound shows signs of becoming infected (redness, becoming infected (redness, pain, swelling & pus).pain, swelling & pus).

Aim of first aid Aim of first aid managementmanagement::

To minimize risk of infection.To minimize risk of infection.

To control bleeding.To control bleeding.

To remove any foreign bodies To remove any foreign bodies in the wound.in the wound.

First aid management:First aid management:1- Stop the bleeding:1- Stop the bleeding: •Minor wounds usually stop bleeding Minor wounds usually stop bleeding on their own. on their own. •If they don't, apply gentle pressure If they don't, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. with a clean cloth or bandage. •Hold the pressure continuously for Hold the pressure continuously for 20 to 30 minutes. Don't keep 20 to 30 minutes. Don't keep checkingchecking ( (may damage or dislodge the may damage or dislodge the fresh clot and cause bleeding to resume).fresh clot and cause bleeding to resume). •If bleeding persists after several If bleeding persists after several minutes of pressure, seek emergency minutes of pressure, seek emergency assistance. assistance.

2- Clean the wound:2- Clean the wound:•RinseRinse the wound well with clear water. the wound well with clear water. •TweezersTweezers cleaned with alcohol may be cleaned with alcohol may be used to remove small, superficial used to remove small, superficial particles (as small pieces of glass).particles (as small pieces of glass).•You must You must not attempt to removenot attempt to remove objects embedded objects embedded deeplydeeply in the wound, in the wound, you may cause further damage to the you may cause further damage to the tissue around the injury & aggravate tissue around the injury & aggravate bleeding.bleeding.

Thorough wound cleaning reduces Thorough wound cleaning reduces the risk of tetanusthe risk of tetanus

3- Apply an antibiotic:3- Apply an antibiotic: After cleaning, apply thin layer of After cleaning, apply thin layer of

antibiotic cream or ointment.antibiotic cream or ointment. Don't make the wound heal faster, Don't make the wound heal faster,

but they can prevent infection & but they can prevent infection & then the healing process will be then the healing process will be more efficient.more efficient.

4- Cover the wound:4- Cover the wound: Bandages can help keep the wound Bandages can help keep the wound

clean and keep harmful bacteria out. clean and keep harmful bacteria out. After the wound has healed enough After the wound has healed enough

to make infection unlikely, exposure to make infection unlikely, exposure to the air is needed to speed wound to the air is needed to speed wound healing.healing.

5- 5- Change the dressing:Change the dressing:

Change the dressing at least daily or Change the dressing at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty.whenever it becomes wet or dirty.

6- 6- Watch for signs of infection:Watch for signs of infection:

If the wound isn't healing or you If the wound isn't healing or you notice any redness, increasing pain, notice any redness, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling, seek drainage, warmth or swelling, seek to medical help. to medical help.

(wounds that don(wounds that don’’t begin to heal t begin to heal within 48 hours should be within 48 hours should be considered to be infected)considered to be infected)

Adults should receive Adults should receive tetanus shottetanus shot (boosters) every 10 years(boosters) every 10 years. If your . If your wound is deep or dirty and your last shot wound is deep or dirty and your last shot was was more than five years agomore than five years ago, your , your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster. Get the booster booster. Get the booster within 48 hours within 48 hours of the injuryof the injury (as tetanus is a dangerous (as tetanus is a dangerous infection, very difficult to treat, but can infection, very difficult to treat, but can be prevented by immunization)be prevented by immunization)..

If a If a stray dogstray dog inflicted the wound, you may inflicted the wound, you may have been exposed to have been exposed to rabiesrabies. Your doctor . Your doctor may give you antibiotics and suggest may give you antibiotics and suggest initiation of a initiation of a rabies vaccination seriesrabies vaccination series. .

7-Get stitches for deep wounds:7-Get stitches for deep wounds:

A wound that is more than 6 mm A wound that is more than 6 mm deepdeep or is wide or jagged edged or is wide or jagged edged and has fat or muscle protruding and has fat or muscle protruding usually usually requires stitchesrequires stitches. .

Proper closure within a few hours Proper closure within a few hours reduces the risk of infection. reduces the risk of infection.

Cuts and scrapes:Cuts and scrapes: Minor cuts and scrapes usually don't require a Minor cuts and scrapes usually don't require a

trip to the emergency room. trip to the emergency room. Yet proper care is essential to avoid infection or Yet proper care is essential to avoid infection or

other complications. other complications. Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes

usually stop bleeding on their own. usually stop bleeding on their own. If they don't, apply gentle pressure with a clean If they don't, apply gentle pressure with a clean

cloth or bandage. Hold the pressure cloth or bandage. Hold the pressure continuously for 20 to 30 minutes. continuously for 20 to 30 minutes.

Don't keep checking to see if the bleeding has Don't keep checking to see if the bleeding has stopped because this may damage or dislodge stopped because this may damage or dislodge the fresh clot that's forming and cause bleeding the fresh clot that's forming and cause bleeding to resume. to resume.

Clean the woundClean the wound. Rinse out the wound with . Rinse out the wound with clear water. Soap can irritate the wound, so try clear water. Soap can irritate the wound, so try to keep it out of the actual wound. to keep it out of the actual wound.

If dirt or debrisIf dirt or debris remains in the wound after remains in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. Thorough wound cleaning remove the particles. Thorough wound cleaning reduces the risk of infection and tetanus. reduces the risk of infection and tetanus.

Apply an antibioticApply an antibiotic. After you clean the wound, . After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment to help keep the surface moist. ointment to help keep the surface moist.

The products don't make the wound heal faster, The products don't make the wound heal faster, but they can discourage infection and allow but they can discourage infection and allow your body's healing process to close the wound your body's healing process to close the wound more efficiently. more efficiently.

Cover the woundCover the wound. Bandages can help keep the . Bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. After wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. After the wound has healed enough to make infection the wound has healed enough to make infection unlikely, exposure to the air is needed to speed unlikely, exposure to the air is needed to speed wound healing. wound healing.

Change the dressingChange the dressing. Change the dressing at least . Change the dressing at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty.

Get stitches for deep wounds.Get stitches for deep wounds. A wound that is more A wound that is more than 1/4 inch (6 millimetres) deep or is gaping or than 1/4 inch (6 millimetres) deep or is gaping or jagged edged and has fat or muscle protruding jagged edged and has fat or muscle protruding usually requires stitches. Proper closure within a usually requires stitches. Proper closure within a few hours reduces the risk of infection. few hours reduces the risk of infection.

Watch for signs of infection.Watch for signs of infection. Seek Seek medical help if the wound isn't healing or medical help if the wound isn't healing or you notice any redness, increasing pain, you notice any redness, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling. drainage, warmth or swelling.

Get a tetanus shotGet a tetanus shot. Doctors recommend . Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your wound is deep or dirty and your last your wound is deep or dirty and your last shot was more than five years ago, your shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster. Get the booster within 48 hours booster. Get the booster within 48 hours of the injury. of the injury.

Home First Aid KitHome First Aid Kit

•help you to respond effectively to help you to respond effectively to common injuries and emergencies.common injuries and emergencies.

•Contents of the list should be re-Contents of the list should be re-checked regularly and it should checked regularly and it should contain:contain:

Gauze, adhesive tapes & bandages of assorted Gauze, adhesive tapes & bandages of assorted sizes.sizes.

Cotton swaps.Cotton swaps. Instant cold packs.Instant cold packs. Thermometer.Thermometer. Eye goggles.Eye goggles. Tweezers, scissors and needles.Tweezers, scissors and needles. Triangular bandage.Triangular bandage. Disposable gloves.Disposable gloves. Antibiotic ointment.Antibiotic ointment. Antiseptic solution and antiseptic wipes. Antiseptic solution and antiseptic wipes. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin tablets.Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin tablets. Calamine lotion and OTC antihistaminic. Calamine lotion and OTC antihistaminic. Glucocorticoid containing ointment.Glucocorticoid containing ointment. Anti-diarrhoeal medication.Anti-diarrhoeal medication. Sunscreen. Sunscreen. Flashlights and extra batteries.Flashlights and extra batteries.

First Aid Misconceptions:First Aid Misconceptions: You should put butter or cream on a burn.You should put butter or cream on a burn.

The only thing you should put on a burn is The only thing you should put on a burn is cold water. cold water.

If you can't move a limb, it must be broken/if If you can't move a limb, it must be broken/if you can move a limb, it can't be broken.you can move a limb, it can't be broken. The The only accurate way to diagnose a broken limb only accurate way to diagnose a broken limb is X-ray. is X-ray.

The best way to treat bleeding is to put the The best way to treat bleeding is to put the wound under a tap.wound under a tap. If you put a bleeding If you put a bleeding wound under a tap you wash away the body's wound under a tap you wash away the body's clotting agents and make it bleed more. clotting agents and make it bleed more.

Nosebleeds are best treated by putting the Nosebleeds are best treated by putting the head back.head back. If you put the head back during a If you put the head back during a nosebleed, all the blood goes down the back nosebleed, all the blood goes down the back of the airway. of the airway.

A tourniquet is the best way to treat serious A tourniquet is the best way to treat serious bleeding.bleeding. It's harmful to stop the blood flow to It's harmful to stop the blood flow to a limb for more than 10-15 minutes. a limb for more than 10-15 minutes.

If someone has swallowed a poison you should If someone has swallowed a poison you should make them vomit.make them vomit. If you make someone vomit If you make someone vomit by putting your fingers in his mouth, the by putting your fingers in his mouth, the vomitus may block his airway. vomitus may block his airway.

If you perform CPR on someone who has a If you perform CPR on someone who has a pulse you can damage their heart.pulse you can damage their heart. The evidence The evidence is that it isn't dangerous to do chest is that it isn't dangerous to do chest compressions on a casualty with a pulse. compressions on a casualty with a pulse.

You need lots of training to do first aid.You need lots of training to do first aid. You You don't You can learn enough first aid in ten don't You can learn enough first aid in ten minutes to save someone's life. minutes to save someone's life.

You need lots of expensive equipment to do first You need lots of expensive equipment to do first aid.aid. You don't need any equipment to do first You don't need any equipment to do first aid, there are lots of ways to manage anything aid, there are lots of ways to manage anything you need.you need.

Protection against Cross-Protection against Cross-infectioninfection

The risks from HIV or hepatitis B The risks from HIV or hepatitis B are small and can be minimised:are small and can be minimised:

Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wear plastic gloves and an apron Wear plastic gloves and an apron

where possible. where possible. Cover any wounds on your own skin Cover any wounds on your own skin

with plasters. with plasters. Be careful where there are needles Be careful where there are needles

present. present.

General Precautionary General Precautionary Measures:Measures:

learn and teach family members how to learn and teach family members how to perform (CPR).perform (CPR).

(EMS) number(EMS) number is known to all family members. is known to all family members. Keep a list of emergency phone numbers near Keep a list of emergency phone numbers near the phone including the phone including policepolice, , firefire department, department, local hospitallocal hospital, , ambulance serviceambulance service, , poison poison control centrecontrol centre and and family physician numbersfamily physician numbers..

ALWAYS GIVE clear information to EMSALWAYS GIVE clear information to EMS including number of victims, type of accident, including number of victims, type of accident, their condition, location and telephone numbers. their condition, location and telephone numbers. Most importantly Most importantly listen carefully for their listen carefully for their instructionsinstructions and do not hang up till they instruct and do not hang up till they instruct you what to do.you what to do.

DO NOT move a victimDO NOT move a victim at site of accident unless at site of accident unless you have to, as you may lead in certain cases to you have to, as you may lead in certain cases to further injuries, more bleeding, airway further injuries, more bleeding, airway obstruction or spinal damage.obstruction or spinal damage.

MAKE SURE that MAKE SURE that the site of accident is the site of accident is safesafe..DO NOT touch a person under electric DO NOT touch a person under electric shockshock with your hand but use a stick, chair, etc. with your hand but use a stick, chair, etc. to separate the victim from the electric source.to separate the victim from the electric source.ALWAYS keep drugs and dangerous ALWAYS keep drugs and dangerous materials out of reach of childrenmaterials out of reach of children..ALWAYS keep heavy objects and hot ALWAYS keep heavy objects and hot containers away from children.containers away from children.ALWAYS ALWAYS keep household chemicalskeep household chemicals as as disinfectants, bleaching agents, insecticides in disinfectants, bleaching agents, insecticides in labelled containers inside closed cupboard labelled containers inside closed cupboard away from food and drinksaway from food and drinks.. DO NOT use any container previously used DO NOT use any container previously used for food or drinks for storing toxic for food or drinks for storing toxic chemicalschemicals as bleaching agents to avoid as bleaching agents to avoid mistakes owing to habituation.mistakes owing to habituation.

Cover electric plugs with plastic coversCover electric plugs with plastic covers to to prevent children from putting anything inside them.prevent children from putting anything inside them. DO NOT keep inflammable materialDO NOT keep inflammable material e.g. e.g. kerosene or gas container kerosene or gas container near firenear fire.. DO NOT permit any waterDO NOT permit any water to get inside plugs or to get inside plugs or electric machines.electric machines. DO NOT try to adjust or reconstruct any DO NOT try to adjust or reconstruct any electric machineelectric machine without knowing how to do this without knowing how to do this well.well.Teach family members how to use fire Teach family members how to use fire extinguishersextinguishers. . Keep a door opened behind you if you are Keep a door opened behind you if you are fighting fire as means of escapefighting fire as means of escape.. DO NOT rescue drowning victim by swimming DO NOT rescue drowning victim by swimming and grasping him/herand grasping him/her unless you are trained or unless you are trained or know how to rescue. Use a rope, pale and ring.know how to rescue. Use a rope, pale and ring.

DO NOT initiate vomiting if a victim DO NOT initiate vomiting if a victim ingested chemicalingested chemical as Clorox, acid, etc. as Clorox, acid, etc. Use Use milk or water to dilutemilk or water to dilute stomach contents and stomach contents and reduce burning of oral cavity.reduce burning of oral cavity. DO NOT leave unconscious victim aloneDO NOT leave unconscious victim alone..keep first aid box within easy reachkeep first aid box within easy reach and in and in known place in the house and car. Regular check-known place in the house and car. Regular check-up of material is advisable.up of material is advisable. Some persons are more prone to accidents and Some persons are more prone to accidents and need special care as children, old people and need special care as children, old people and some psychic patients. some psychic patients. They should not be left They should not be left alonealone.. AVOID using carpets or floor covering in AVOID using carpets or floor covering in kitchens to guard against fires.kitchens to guard against fires. AVOID using carpets or floor coverings with AVOID using carpets or floor coverings with edges that may lead to stumbling back, slipping edges that may lead to stumbling back, slipping and falling.and falling.

Always remember, you can actually save a life.

Thank you