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First Aid - Open Wounds

There are several types of open wounds.

• An abrasion occurs when the top layer of skin is removed, with little blood loss.

• A laceration occurs when the skin is cut with jagged edges. This type of wound usually is caused by a forceful tearing away of skin tissue.

• An incision is a cut with smooth edges, such as a cut with a knife.

• A puncture is an injury from a sharp pointed object.

• An avulsion is a piece of skin or tissue that is torn or loose and hanging from the body.

• An amputation is the cutting or tearing off of a body part.

For severely bleeding wounds, use a pressure bandage until the victim can get medical care.

To care for a shallow wound:

• Put on medical gloves

• Wash the wound with soap and water.

• Flush the wound with running water.

• Apply antibiotic ointment.

• Cover the area with a sterile dressing.

• Seek medical care for a wound with high risk for infection, such as an animal bite or puncture wound.

Call 911 immediately under any of the following circumstances:

• Bleeding is not controlled after applying pressure for 10-15 minutes.

• Symptoms of shock occur, such as dizziness and pale, cool skin.

• Breathing is difficult because of a cut to the neck or chest.

• A deep cut to the abdomen causing moderate to severe pain.

• A cut to the eyeball.

• A cut that amputates or partially amputates an extremity.

This Safety Tip of the Week originally was published on April 1, 2019.

Source: Joe Mlynek is president of Progressive Safety Services LLC, Port Clinton, OH: joe.mlynek@progressivesafety.us, and content creator for Safety Made Simple Inc., Olathe, KS; joe@safetymadesimple.com.

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