First-Aid basics

[goldendragon]

I saw the injury prevention thread but what happens if you manage to get hurt anyway?

Hopefully this thread will explain what to do when that unfortunate incident does happen. The pictures will show a certain area but the same basic concept applies to anywhere else. I am first-aid certified and have personally administered first-aid to some of these injuries (some even to myself) and the doctors have never had an issue with my practices and some have even complimented me on them.

This is your basic first-aid kit. You should always have plenty of gauze, disinfectant wipes or H2O2, bandage wraps, triangle bandage wrap, medical tape, band-aids, scissors, antihistamine medication for allergies such as a bee sting, and rubber gloves.


An Open Cut


This is your basic cut. First thing you want to do and wash it down with some clean water, try to get the blood off and dirt & grime or infection will likely set in. Next get some sort of disinfectant, I personally like to use hydrogen paroxide (H2O2) since it cleans so thoroughly, and pour it over the open wound. then get some gauze and take your pick from using medical tape and taping it down or bandage wrap, wrapping around the hand a few times then tying a knot. Try to keep plenty of pressure to keep from bleeding more and on a cut like this or larger it will be best if you go to the hospital afterward and get some stitches.

A Sprained or Broken Ankle


First off, DO NOT REMOVE YOUR SHOE. Your shoe may be holding together the broken parts of your ankle and is keeping an all-around pressure. Now the first thing you want to do is stabilize it. You don't want to cause further damage so an ankle splint is in order. Find two objects that are preferably flat and wide and place them at the sides of your ankle. Get the bandage wrap and wrap the planks to your ankle nice and tight and tie an knot when you run out of wrap. Then have somebody help you if there is anybody around to the hospital where x-rays will determine the total damage.The picture below is a special type of ankle brace where you don't need the bandage wrap but the same basic concept applies.


A Sprained or Broken Wrist or Arm


The same basic concept applies here as it does to the ankle as well. As the picture shows you can even use a newspaper or magazine as a splint and make sure you have a triangle bandage. Place the arm in the splint and place the shorter end of the triangle bandage where your hand is and take the long ends and wrap them behind then neck. You need to make sure that the arm is parallel to the ground and won't bounce a whole lot and cause further injury.

This thread will always be in the process of construction since I am opening it up to everybody on the forum to make a contribution. If there is an injury that is not covered please post it and I will make sure that it is placed here. The head injury is already covered on another thread so please do not post head-related injuries.

Good Samaritin Law

Good Samaritan laws in the United States are laws or acts protecting from liability those who choose to aid others who are injured or ill. They are intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death.

Here are other people's contributions:

-Avoid direct contact with someone's blood, wear latex gloves if possible
-ask for consent from the person you may be helping
-summon EMS if possible, if its that bad
-you can use a towel as a soft splint for foot/ankle injuries. Basically you just carefully put the towel around the foot then tie it up with bandages, or a shirt or whatever.
-For most injuries you want to minimize movement as much as you can, until its immobilized, or until a qualified person takes over.

[Jacob1]

Excellent guide, very helpful. +rep

[Holden]

accurate + rep

[stolenwrap69]

splendid review good job

[Jak]

this is a really great idea mate well done

[ChinnyBKR]

I think Hydrogen Peroxide is actually H2O2. Also, I think I've read somewhere pouring hydrogen peroxide over an open wound does more harm than good.

[goldendragon]

I think Hydrogen Peroxide is actually H2O2. Also, I think I've read somewhere pouring hydrogen peroxide over an open wound does more harm than good.

You are right about the atomic name but you are wrong about the fact that it does more harm than good. This link will tell just about everything you need to know about H2O2 and its uses.

Therapeutic use
Hydrogen peroxide is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as an antimicrobial agent, an oxidizing agent and for other purposes by the US Food and Drug Administration.[6]

Hydrogen peroxide has been used as an antiseptic and anti-bacterial agent for many years due to its oxidizing effect. While its use has decreased in recent years with the popularity of better-smelling and more readily-available over the counter products, it is still used by many hospitals, doctors and dentists in sterilizing, cleaning and treating everything from floors to root canal procedures.

Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a toothpaste when mixed with correct quantities of baking soda and salt.[7]
Hydrogen peroxide and benzoyl peroxide are sometimes used to treat acne.[8]
Hydrogen peroxide is used as an emetic in veterinary practice.[9]

[Cclaxattack30]

I think Hydrogen Peroxide is actually H2O2. Also, I think I've read somewhere pouring hydrogen peroxide over an open wound does more harm than good.

source?

[Arch Enemy]

Nice and helpful, + rep

[Pau1]

source?

My dad works at a hospital, and he says that they don't use it as much anymore. It kills off bacteria but it can also kill of the good tissue and cells needed to help heal.

I took a life guarding class, and some things we learned that are pretty much common sense but whatever....
-Avoid direct contact with someone's blood, wear latex gloves if possible
-ask for consent from the person you may be helping
-summon EMS if possible, if its that bad
-you can use a towel as a soft splint for foot/ankle injuries. Basically you just carefully put the towel around the foot then tie it up with bandages, or a shirt or whatever.
-For most injuries you want to minimize movement as much as you can, until its immobilized, or until a qualified person takes over.