Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with abdominal wound, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — There is a wound to the belly area and internal tissue or organs may be visible or protruding.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112. Cover wound with moist clean cloth. Do not push anything back in. Keep them still.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Wound to the belly with fat, bowel, or other tissue visible outside the body.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Severe pain, rigid or distended abdomen, or person going pale and sweaty.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Object still inside the abdomen — do not remove it.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An open abdominal wound can cause rapid internal bleeding and infection. Exposed organs are extremely vulnerable.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shock can develop quickly — cold skin, fast weak pulse, confusion.
Check the scene before you approach.
Keep the person flat. Minimize movement of the abdomen.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 on speaker immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lay the person on their back with knees slightly bent if that reduces pain.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use clean cloth dampened with clean water or saline to gently cover exposed tissue. If plastic wrap is available, place it over moist cloth.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not apply heavy pressure on protruding organs — cover lightly to protect.
When and how to get professional help.
Any open abdominal wound with visible organs is immediately life-threatening.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Never push protruding organs back inside. Do not probe the wound. Call for advanced care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say: "Open abdominal wound — organs may be exposed. Person needs ambulance now."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Report whether the person is alert, breathing normally, and whether an object is embedded.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT push organs or tissue back into the abdomen.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give anything by mouth — no water, food, or pain pills.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT remove embedded objects in the abdomen.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT let the person sit up or walk.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You should push protruding organs back in to protect them
Other scenarios in the same family.
After crush release
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person has just been released from a crush injury. They may look okay initially but can deteriorate rapidly.
Amputation
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A finger, toe, hand, foot, or larger part of a limb has been partially or completely severed in an accident.
Impaled object
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A knife, rod, glass shard, or other object is embedded in the body and must not be removed by civilians.
Chest wound
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A penetrating or open wound to the chest wall. The person may have trouble breathing or bubbling blood at the wound.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep the person warm with a blanket. Reassure them help is coming.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — This injury always requires emergency surgery and cannot be managed at home.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Signs of shock — pale skin, fast pulse, confusion — mean the ambulance cannot wait.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pushing organs back causes severe damage and infection. Cover them with a moist clean dressing and wait for surgeons.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Permanent organ damage and fatal infection.