What is a simple wound?
It is a superficial cut or a scratch that does not bleed excessively and is not located close to an orifice.
It is a superficial cut or a scratch that does not bleed excessively and is not located close to an orifice.
A serious wound:
Any wound, even very small ones, can cause a serious and often deadly illness: tetanus. It is estimated that each year, 100,000 persons die worldwide from tetanus. Immunisation is the only sure means of protection against tetanus; if the victim has not been immunised or the last shot was done over ten years ago, it is essential to seek medical advice.
Wash your hands with soap and water then clean the wound with soap or sterile compresses and an antiseptic solution. Protect the wound with an adhesive bandage if you think it is necessary and check the status of the victim's tetanus immunisation. Afterwards, watch for changes in the wound: if it turns red, hot, swollen, painful or begins to ooze, seek medical attention.
If there is a foreign object in the wound, do not take it out - it could cause a hemorrhage and aggravate the victim's condition. Have the victim lie down, do not give him anything to drink or eat and call emergency services. If the bleeding is serious, see the Hemorrhage note.
While waiting for emergency teams to arrive, have the victim sit with the torso slightly reclined.
Put the victim on his back with his legs on a chair so that the legs form a 90-degree angle with the body.
Put the victim on his back, with his eyes closed and the head stable. Ask him not to move his eyes so as not to aggravate the wound. If necessary, sit behing him and support his head with both hands.
