A wound is a rupture of the cutaneous barrier. In addition to the lesion of subjacent bodies which can occur at the time of the accident, the wound can involve the penetration of Germe S pathogenic in a organization and cause a Infection. The principal pathogenic risk is the Tétanos.

Serious or simple wound?

In First aid, one distinguishes the simple wounds, which require a simple cleaning or a disinfection (see the article Bobologie), and the serious wounds which require a medical opinion. But a serious wound with the direction first aid is not it inevitably with the medical direction. For example, a wound by tool is regarded as low register in first aid because it is necessary to evaluate of it the site, the depth, the possible repercussions, and this must be made by a doctor who will judge him if the wound is indeed serious or benign;

let us take the example of a wound per knife with a finger, it will be benign so only the flesh is touched, but if a tendon is touched or divided, that will require surgery with the risk to lose the use of the finger; a variation of a millimetre on the position of the wound can make the difference.

The services of emergency Medical assistance can give instructions useful on the action to be taken (to go in the general doctor, to go to the urgencies of the hospital or to await helps). One should not hesitate with to contact the emergency services in case of doubt.

In first aid, a simple wound is a small cutaneous effraction (small cut or erraflure) surface and bleeding little, and which is not located close to the eye or a natural opening. One speaks about serious wound since one of the elements according to occurs:

• localization:
• close to a natural opening (Nose, Mouth, Ear, Sex, Anus), with the eye or the face (Face, Neck);
• with the Thorax;
• with the Abdomen;
• aspect:
• abundant bleeding (even the article Hemorrhage );
• déchiquettée;
• wide wound or multiple wounds;
• mechanism:
• by projectile;
• by tool;
• by Bite;
• by object slicing: Knife, cutter…

Action to be taken in the event of simple wound

See the detailed article Bobologie.

Action to be taken in the event of serious wound

As for any accident, it is advisable to protect: to remove the source of the danger, or to help the victim to withdraw danger, possibly by a emergency Release if the victim is impotente and that the danger is vital, real and immediate.

It is then advisable to make the vital assessment of the victim: a wound can be very impressive, but the priority goes to the survival of the victim, therefore with

• the Arrêt of a hemorrhage, if the victim in present one;
• the evaluation of the state of consciousness and the Breathing, which involves:
• if the victim is unconscious and breathes, its setting in side Position of safety;
• if it does not breathe, practice of the Réanimation cardiopulmonaire.

These cases of vital distress imply a fast and precise alarm helps.

Except vital distress (the victim speaks, opens the eyes, and does not present an abundant bleeding), it should be prevented that the victim does not move and to leave it in the position or it feels best:

any movement would be likely to cause an aggravation of the wound, possibly which has occurred of a hemorrhage, as well as Douleur S.

It is necessary to examine the victim to check that it does not present an other hidden traumatism, which could be more serious than the visible wound:

• one requires of him where it with evil;
• one requires of him to move the fingers, the wrists, to fold the elbows, to move the toes, the ankles, the legs; a pain or a difficulty of moving indicates a traumatism;
• one observes clothing to detect a possible bloodstain.

Then, the wound is observed, one notes his characteristics (see section the serious or simple Plaie? above), and one transmits the elements observed to a doctor (for example by telephone, for example the Samu) so that this one evaluates if the person can come from itself to be made look after or if it is advisable to send helps.

Let us note that if the Désinfection is recommended on a simple wound, it is disadvised on a serious wound:

• if the product is coloring, it can obstruct the examination of the wound;
• it can have there incompatibilities with the products which will be used by the doctor.

One will disinfect only on medical opinion, or if it is not possible to see a doctor quickly (for example isolated region).

Particular cases

• Precaution in the event of wound with the eye

• Position of waiting

See too

Related articles

External bonds

• SFFPC: French company and French-speaking person of the Wounds and Cicatrisations Base knowledge and information on the wounds
• Morsure of viper: What to make? , the General practitioner n°2123, June 1st 2001
• To examine a wound of the hand, the General practitioner n°2093, February 16th 2001
• First aid in team of level 1, To download the National Guide of Reference

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