First aid tips – treating wounds and bleeding
Amongst the most common types of 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.