EMERGENCY RESPONSE WEB APP

 

Amputation

Amputations are a Medical Emergency. Call 911 

 

 Traumatic amputation is the loss of a body part, usually a finger, toe, arm, or leg, that occurs as the result of an accident or injury.

First Aid

 
  1. Call 911
  2. Make sure the scene is safe.
  3. Protect yourself. Wear nitrile gloves from the first aid kit or use something like a plastic bag to provide a barrier between the blood and your skin.
  4. People can become frightened or anxious from seeing blood. Do not let bleeding distract you from continual observation of the person.
    • Remember to monitor the persons breathing, and perform CPR if breathing stops
    • Take a deep breath and remain calm
    • Reassure the person and talk in a normal voice
    • Assign a bystander to search for the amputated body part
  5. Use direct pressure to stop the bleeding. You may need to press for a very long time with very firm pressure 
  6. Direct pressure is often enough to stop the bleeding
    • NEVER REMOVE A DRESSING
    • If you need to apply additional gauze or material, apply it over the existing gauze
  7.  If direct pressure is not enough to stop the bleeding, apply a tourniquet
  8. Carefully remove any debris and wrap the part in sterile gauze if possible. If sterile gauze is not available, use clean material
  9. Place the wrapped part into a plastic bag and seal the bag
  10.  Give the wrapped part to the emergency response personnel

    Applying a Tourniquet

    A tourniquet may be necessary if any of the following conditions exist:

    • Direct pressure does not stop the bleeding
    • There are multiple people with life-threatening injuries who need care (Mass casualty)
    •  There are multiple traumatic injuries requiring attention in addition to bleeding AND emergency responders may be delayed
    •  The scene is unsafe or may become unsafe
    •  The injured person or their limb is trapped in a confined space making the wound inaccessible

     

    1. Send someone to call 911
    2. A commercially made tourniquet from the first aid kit is preferred. If it is not available, improvise something using cloth that is about 2" wide
    3. Place the tourniquet around the wounded limb about 2" above the wound. Avoid placing it over a joint.
    4. Twist the tourniquet rod (a stick or pencil can be used on an improvised tourniquet) until bright red bleeding stops flowing from the wound
    5. Secure the tourniquet in place 

    DO NOT REMOVE OR LOOSEN THE TOURNIQUET


    Record the time when you applied the tourniquet and provide this to emergency response personnel

 

For information about this web guide, contact EHS@Yaskawa.com