| The term "wound" in medical terminology means a | | | | that leaves a cut with irregular edges. Bleeding can |
| break in the skin or mucous membranes of the body, | | | | heavy and serious. |
| this is called an open wound. It can also refer to | | | | Treating Wounds Using First Aid Skills |
| internal injuries even when there is no external cut or | | | | The number one rule in the treatment of open |
| break, this is called a closed wound. Wounds are also | | | | wounds is to STOP any bleeding. Some wounds do |
| classified by the type of damage that has taken | | | | not bleed at all and others bleed excessively. In some |
| place. So, first it is helpful to understand these basic | | | | situations the wound might not involve extensive |
| types of wounds in order to be able to offer further | | | | measures or necessary medical attention. Here are |
| first aid treatment. We will discuss open wounds, | | | | some basic guidelines to consider when treating these |
| how to evaluate what kind is present and how to | | | | types of injuries. |
| treat them. | | | | ~Call For Help. Depending on the situation you might |
| Here is a concise introduction to the types of open | | | | not need emergency medical help. However, if you |
| wounds that might occur: | | | | are witnessing a wound that won't stop bleeding or |
| 1) Abrasion - Is basically a scrape or scratch in which | | | | the damage is extreme.....call for help immediately. If |
| the outer surface of the skin is injured, but without | | | | there is a joint wound, face cut, numbness or a |
| considerable bleeding. A typical example is the | | | | possible risk of infection......call for help immediately. |
| scraping of a knee upon a fall on the sidewalk or the | | | | ~Always sanitize your hands with hot water and |
| rubbing of the skin against a hard surface. | | | | soap before tending to a lesion, abrasion, laceration, |
| 2) Incision - Is a cut on the skin that appears straight | | | | incision, avulsion, or puncture. |
| and direct as in a knife wound or glass cut. There are | | | | ~Sometimes wearing latex gloves is a good idea to |
| clean edges, that might not be very long, but | | | | avoid any infection to or from the casualty. This |
| depending on the depth on the incision, this could | | | | creates a layer of sanitation between you and the |
| result in excessive bleeding. | | | | possible contaminant. |
| 3) Avulsion - Is the term used when a part of the | | | | Further action would require dressing the wound, |
| body has been forcibly torn away, such as in a in gun | | | | which is taught most effectively through a First Aid |
| shot wound, animal bite or car accident. Heavy blood | | | | training course. It is highly recommended for any |
| loss is usually always the result of an avulsion. | | | | individuals who want to be prepared for possible |
| 4) Puncture - This type of damage is causes by a | | | | emergency situation that involves tending to the |
| sharp object that pierces through the skin creating a | | | | treatment of minor, but most severe wounds, that |
| hole of varying depths. This type of injury tends to | | | | you get proper medical training. People who know |
| cover a small area and that does not bleed | | | | first aid techniques can often save a life or prevent |
| intensively. | | | | further pain and damage to the victim. |
| 5) Laceration - Is caused by a rough or blunt item | | | | |