Bleeding from External Injuries
Rest in a Safe Area
Regardless of the type or severity of the injury, the injured person should be moved to a safer area and instructed to lie down or sit down and rest.
Elevate the Wound
Raise the injured area above the level of the heart to reduce blood flow. If the wound is dirty, you can gently rinse it with clean cold or warm water. You can also use a bottle of water or saline solution to clean the wound. However, avoid using hot water, alcohol, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, or similar substances to treat the wound as they may irritate it.
Apply Direct Pressure to the Wound
Prior to applying pressure to stop bleeding, wash your hands thoroughly and take precautions to prevent possible infection of the wound. If you are unsure of the injured person's health condition, it is best to wear gloves to prevent any potential transmission of diseases. Use sterile gauze or a clean cloth to apply firm pressure to the wound for at least five minutes. If the bleeding slows down or stops, secure the dressing with a bandage. If there are any signs of shock, call emergency services at 911 while applying pressure to stop the bleeding.
Foreign Object in the Wound
If there is an object embedded in the wound or stuck in the body, do not attempt to remove it yourself as it may worsen the bleeding. Instead, cover the injured area with sterile gauze, being careful not to push the object deeper. Wrap the wound in a figure-eight pattern with a bandage and seek immediate medical attention.
Serious Burns
Immediately call 911 or seek medical attention at the nearest hospital. According to local residents in Tianjin, the closest hospital, Taida Hospital, is already overcrowded. Injured individuals can go to the Gangkou Tanggu Hospital for treatment and necessary emergency care.
1. Do not forcefully remove burning clothing. Quickly extinguish the flames and move away from the fire. If clothing is soaked with hot liquid, it can be cut off after rinsing with cold water, but do not forcefully remove it to avoid causing further damage.
2. Do not immerse large areas of deep burns in cold water to prevent a sudden drop in body temperature and blood pressure, which can lead to shock.
3. Pay attention to signs of shock in the injured person (breathing, coughing, or movement). If the person's breathing or heartbeat stops, perform CPR immediately.
4. Elevate the burned limbs above the level of the heart as much as possible.
5. Cover the burn wound with breathable and moist sterile dressing, clean wet cloth, or wet towel.
Special reminder: If the hand is burned, remove any accessories such as rings while cooling down. Otherwise, the swelling may cause necrosis of the fingers.
Minor Scalds
Local Cold Compress
Applying cold compress to the scalded area can help reduce temperature, relieve pain, and reduce local swelling. You can rinse the wound with tap water or bottled water, or apply cold compress using a towel wrapped with ice cubes (avoid direct contact of ice cubes with the wound). The cold compress should last for 10 to 15 minutes or until the pain or discomfort significantly subsides.
Protect the Wound
After performing the above steps, if conditions permit, cover the wound with sterile gauze to keep it clean, reduce pain, and protect any blisters from being punctured. If there is no sterile gauze available, expose the wound fully and avoid friction from clothing or other objects, then promptly seek medical attention. Avoid using cotton or any dressing that may stick to the open wound.
Precautions
1. Do not squeeze or break blisters on the affected area. Your hands carry bacteria, and without sterile conditions, squeezing or breaking blisters can easily cause infection of the wound.
2. Do not apply egg white, sesame oil, or ointments to the affected area, as they may cause infection.
3. Do not directly apply ice cubes to the wound. Placing ice cubes directly on the wound can cause further damage due to the rapid temperature drop.
4. For more severe burns or burns on hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or major joints, immediate medical attention is required.
Tips
Due to the explosion in the Binhai New Area of Tianjin, which was caused by highly flammable and explosive materials inside containers, the nature of the explosion has not yet been determined, and it is unknown whether harmful gases are present in the area. Therefore, it is recommended that nearby residents minimize outdoor activities, avoid gathering at the scene, close doors and windows, and, while ensuring their own safety, try to maintain local road traffic for the convenience of rescue operations.
