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About Stephen Bernhard
Expertise
I can assist with answering or finding the answers to questions involving first aid, CPR, emergency first response, and general procedures of the emergency medical services (not specific to any specific organization, but I may be able to shed some light on why they do the things they do).
Experience
I am a former EMT-Basic, Police Officer whose duties included medical first response,Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillator instructor, Bloodborne pathogens instructor, and I have taught hundreds of students, including hospital, fire and rescue, and police personnel.
Education/Credentials
EMT- Basic certification, American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI) and Emergency Care and Safety Institute (ECSI) certified Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor-Trainer, Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy certified. I also own and direct HSTA LLC, a BLS instruction company in Southwest Ohio, which also serves as a certified training center through ASHI and an educational center through ECSI.
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You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Protecting your Home and Family > First Aid > first aid if someone cut off his finger
Expert: Stephen Bernhard
Date: 8/17/2006
Subject: first aid if someone cut off his finger
Question
Dear,
Recently a friend of mine nearly cut off his finger in a machine (an electric saw). My question: What is the first aid to do if someone cut off his finger before going to a hospital?
(something to stop the bleeding? Put the finger in a bag with ice?) ... Is there a standard procedure?
Greetz
Tim from Belgium
Answer
Hi Tim,
I am sorry to hear of your friend's unfortunate accident. I wish him the best.
First aid for an amputation injury is similar to bleed control for a cut. What is now recommended is that direct pressure be applied to the injury in order to control the bleeding. It used to be that elevation and arterial pressure (pressure on the arteries that supply the injuried body part in order to slow the blood flow) was also to be done. However, as of late last year, the powers that be revised this to only be direct pressure.
The severed finger can then be secured by first wrapping it in a clean cloth, putting it in a bag, and laying it on a bed of ice. Now, granted, this is all well and good, but clean cloths, bags, and ice aren't always readily available. In that case, a little improvisation might be needed with the intention of keeping the finger cool (without getting it too cold), clean, and protected.
That is about the gist of it. A pretty simple process for a pretty complicated and scary situation.
I hope this this helps. Feel free to follow up if necessary.
Stephen
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