Loading...
Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A finger, toe, hand, foot, or larger part of a limb has been partially or completely severed in an accident.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Partial or complete separation of finger, toe, hand, foot, or limb.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Heavy bleeding from the stump, person pale, weak, or confused.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Crush injury from machinery — scene may still be dangerous.
Scene hazards: Machinery, Traffic, Blood-borne infection, Sharp debris
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ensure machinery or danger is off before helping.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Shout for others to find cloth and ice.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Press firmly on the stump with thick cloth. If bleeding does not slow, apply a tourniquet 5–8 cm above the wound.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lay the person down, elevate legs slightly if no spinal injury suspected, and cover with a blanket.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Wrap the amputated part in moist gauze, place in a sealed bag, then place bag in ice water — never put directly on ice.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say: "Traumatic amputation of [part]. Heavy bleeding. Tourniquet applied: yes/no."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell them the severed part has been recovered and preserved if applicable.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — All amputations require emergency surgery. Time is critical for possible reattachment.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Note tourniquet time and whether the severed part was recovered — medics need this information.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT wash the severed part under running water for a long time.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT put the severed part directly on ice or in dry ice.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT delay bleeding control to search for the amputated part — send someone else.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You must find the severed part before calling for help
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stopping bleeding on the person is the priority. Someone else can recover the part while you control hemorrhage.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person dies from blood loss while searching for the amputated part.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Major blood loss from an amputation can cause death within minutes without pressure or a tourniquet.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Reattachment may be possible if the severed part is preserved correctly and care is fast — but stopping bleeding comes first.