It can be frightening to witness an accidental amputation in Florida. However, an individual who loses a limb needs medical attention immediately. You should call 911 for assistance, but there is more that you can do to assist the unfortunate individual while waiting for help to arrive.
According to WebMD, one of the most important things to do is to cover or wrap the area of injury with a clean cloth or sterile dressing. This will help keep the wound clean and stop the bleeding. After applying a wound dressing or covering, do not remove it even if blood soaks through. Instead, add an extra dressing on top of the first one.
Blood loss can be a serious complication of an accidental amputation. You can prevent this by applying direct, steady pressure to the wound. It can also help to have the individual lie down and elevate the injured area, but this is not always possible.
An individual who has an accidental amputation may go into shock. If this happens, you can treat it by trying to keep the individual calm and covering him or her with a blanket or coat. If it is safe to do so, you can have the individual lie down so that you can raise his or her feet about 12 inches. However, if you suspect an injury to the head or spine, do not attempt any repositioning.
After an accidental amputation, it is most crucial to care for the injured individual. However, it is also important to care for the amputated part. Sometimes it is possible for doctors to reattach it. You should place the part in a clean plastic bag and take it with you to the hospital packed in ice after rinsing it off first to remove dirt or debris. Avoid scrubbing the part or washing it with soap.
The information in this article is not intended as legal advice but provided for educational purposes only.
