First aid tips – treating wounds and bleeding
Amongst the most common types of a medical emergency you are likely to come across in everyday life are wounds, cuts and bleeding. To be able to deal with these properly, it is recommended to undergo a first aid training course.
However, here are a few of the basics that everyone needs to know about treating wounds and bleeding.
Treating minor cuts and scratches
When treating minor injuries, remember to:
- Clean and dry your own hands before starting any treatment
- Cover any cuts you may have on your own hands, and put on disposable gloves if you have a pair handy
- Clean the wound if it is dirty using running water. To clean around the wound, cover it temporarily.
- Dry wounds after cleaning with clean lint-free materials or sterile dressings
Severe wounds and bleeding
If you encounter a severe injury, which is likely to be bleeding a lot, here’s what you need to remember about treatment:
- After washing and drying your hands and putting on disposable gloves, apply pressure to the wound using a sterile dressing or a clean cloth or pad
- Raise the injured limb and support it, taking extra care if you suspect broken bones
- To treat for shock, lay the person down whilst still keeping the limb elevated
- Bandage severe wounds tightly, but not so tight as to cut off circulation
- In very serious cases, call the emergency services.