First Aid For Amputated Finger

First Aid

Taking a first aid class can mean the difference between life and death. What you learn in a class can help you decide whether a trip to the emergency room is necessary. It can also teach the do's and don't's for a severed body part. Losing a finger is one of the common exigencies seen in the emergency room. The following is a mini first aid class for an amputated finger.

The very first thing you would do is look the victim over carefully and make sure there are no other life-threatening wounds. He or she will be in pain and scared, and may need to be comforted. You will need to try and get the person as calm as you can. Once you have determined that this is the severest injury, you can direct your attention to the finger. If the finger is completely severed, you should elevate the wounded hand and apply ice to reduce bleeding and swelling. The wound should be completely covered with a dry sterile dressing, such as gauze or cotton cloth. If the bleeding is not slowing down, you will need to put pressure on the source. A blood pressure cup could be used, but not for long. Sterile dressings are used to help stop the bleeding or soak up the blood, and to prevent infection. Next, the hand and wrist should be immobilized by using some sort of splint. Sticks, boards or rolled up newspapers could be used as a splint.

The next thing would be to find the finger. If you have it, gently clean it with water. If you have access to saline, use it. Gently wrap the finger in gauze and put it in an airtight bag. Place the bag on ice. Do not put the finger directly on ice. Then take it and the victim to the emergency room as quickly as possible. Time matters.

One never knows what emergencies will present themselves, and a little knowledge makes a huge difference. Hopefully, you will never find yourself in a situation where you need to tend to a severed finger.

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