Critical Care

Amputated Fingers and Knocked Out Teeth – What to Do With the Amputated Or Torn Out Body Part

Everyone likes to watch those TV shows about emergency room life, where trauma victims roll through the door on gurneys, with blood squirting all over the place. One common scenario is the unfortunate victim who accidentally amputates his finger. The person comes in by ambulance with the stump bandaged up to stop the bleeding, and what do you see? You see the nurse place the amputated finger on ice, before the surgeon strolls in to save the day by reattaching the body part. This scenario is pretty close to the truth, and is commonly what you’d expect happens in the ER. But, is it the right thing to do? What’s the best way to preserve an avulsed or amputated body part?

Finger avulsion or amputation is a common ER situation. To best preserve a severed body part, you NEVER place it directly on ice. This is because, the amputated body part is no longer is perfused (lacks circulating blood). Therefore it freezes much easier and is prone to immediate frostbite and critical vascular damage. If you want a prayer of saving the amputated body part, avoid direct contact with ice. Cold however, does slow down tissue death due to lack of oxygenation. A solution or slurry of saline water with a little ice is the way to go. In a pinch, you can make some saline, with 1 teaspoon of salt mixed in with 2 cups of water. Pure water is a poor preservative. Read more…

How to Defeat the Effects of Pepper Spray

Whenever you are stuck in a serious situation or just goofing off with friends, coming in contact with pepper spray is something more and more people are faced with today. This link with agent has very powerful effects. Here are just a few tips to counter the effects of pepper spray.

How to Defeat the Effects of Pepper Spray in Four Steps

Step 1 – Do Not Panic – The worst thing you can do is panic. Never panic! Whatever you do, do not rub the affected area. Pepper spray is both a physical and mental attack. It makes you physically blind and makes you think you are suffocating at the same time. From the moment your hits with pepper spray in the eyes stopped taking deep controlled breaths and stay calm. Another side effect is snot draining out of your nose. Again not something to be alarmed about.

Step 2 – Rinse with Water – From the moment you are hit with pepper spray asks somebody close by your guide you to the nearest water supply. There, rinse your eyes thoroughly with running water preferably through a hose for 10 to 15 minutes. Even though you will feel an immense amount of burning on your eyes keep grimacing and force your eyes open to allow the water to get in. Read more…