No body likes injuries but the fact of life is injuries do happen to all of
us and knowing how do deal with injuries properly can help prevent
complications and/or further injury. In the medical realm, injuries are
called trauma. Trauma is basically any physical insult to the body (i.e.
an injury. Trauma is generally classified in two basic and general
categories.
Blunt trauma refers to any injury to the body where the object injuring the
body does not penetrate the skin. Examples of blunt trauma can include,
hitting your finger with a hammer, falling from a ladder or being hit by a
car. Blunt trauma can be potentially very serious. While a person
suffering blunt trauma may appear fairly normal after being injured, the injury
itself has the potential to damage bones, muscles, internal organs etc.
Penetrating trauma, as its name suggests, refers to any injury where the
skin is broken. Examples of penetrating trauma can include a broken bone
that has penetrated the skin, being stabbed, or being cut by a knife. In
each of these cases the skin is broken and the person experiences potentially
severe bleeding. While very serious, penetrating trauma is generally less
life threatening than blunt trauma
The following are several descriptions of general injuries and suggested
methods of treatment:
Neck injury - Neck injuries can potentially be very serious
injuries. The spinal cord, the main nerve in the body, runs through the
spinal column in the neck. During a moderate to severe blow to the head
or neck a bone in the spinal column may be broken. If not treated
carefully, the spinal cord is at risk for injury resulting in paralysis.
With any head or neck injury it is best to hold your neck still or have someone
hold your neck still and seek emergency medical help.
Broken bone - Broken bones can be a relatively common injury
resulting from moderate to severe trauma. Broken bones will heal and need
to be properly set by trained medical personnel. At times the broken bone
can lacerate local blood vessels and nerves. It is vital that in this
case emergency medical care be sought immediately to restore circulation and
sensation to the injured extremity.
Laceration - A laceration is the medical term for a basic cut or
disruption of the integrity of the skin. Because of the high degree of
vascularity in the skin, lacerations are capable of moderate to severe
bleeding. Superficial lacerations most probably will bleed from
capillaries in the skin resulting in a slow, oozing cut. Deeper
lacerations, depending on location, are subject to bleeding from veins or
arteries. Veins will bleed at a constant rate but more extensively than
capillaries. Arterial bleeding is the most severe. It bleeds in
spurts and the blood is bright red in color. Blood has the capability to
form a clot at a cut that will stop the bleeding process. Superficial
cuts will often clot over with little help. To stop bleeding from a
severe laceration you need to apply pressure and elevate the injury, preferably
above the level of the heart. Moderate to severe lacerations will need
medical attention and possibly stitches to close the wound.
This page is meant for public education in basic medical safety issues. The Cedarville Township Fire Department is not responsible for any further complications resulting from improper use of information contained on this page.