BASIC FIRST AID SKILLS:

Knowing how to stop bleeding and dress a wound are basic first aid skills. A wound is a damage in the skin or mucous membrane, which may be associated with profuse bleeding.

The healing of the wound is affected by its size and location, cleanliness, and the injury mechanism (wound type).

Tattered or dirty wounds or wounds on mobile areas heal slower.

Causes:

• Scratch, or flesh wound: graze, falling.
• Puncture wound: needle, nail, or other sharp object.
• Cut: paper, knife.
• Bruise: falling, being hit, being squeezed.
• Bite: the bite of a human or animal.
• Gunshot wound: firearm, nailer, or similar. Symptoms:
• Bleeding. • Edges of the wound are tattered or neat. • Foreign object or dirt in the tissue.

First aid:

• Stop the visible bleeding by applying pressure to the wound.
• Clean the wound under cool running water.
• Apply medical tape to close the edges of a small cut.
• Do not remove a foreign object attached to the tissue. • Cover the wound with a protective bandage.
• Ensure that your tetanus vaccine is valid (validity 10 years, a booster vaccination can be given after 5 years, if necessary).

Seek medical care within 6 hours of the creation of the wound, if

• The wound is tattered, deep, or several centimeters long.
• Bone, muscle, or other tissue is visible in the wound.
• There is a foreign object in the wound.
• Bleeding cannot be stopped.
• There is dirt in the wound and you are unable to clean it.
• The wound is a bite wound.
• The wound is in a joint area or on the face.
• The wound is infected

Redness in the area is normal for a new wound. But if swelling and redness persist and there is pus formation the wound can be infected. Prevention is key. Cleaning the wound and keeping it dry with clean covering is important. Applying a thin layer of moisture barrier such as triple antibiotic cream prior to covering with a clean bandage is important.

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