Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

7 Bleeding, Wound Care and Trauma

Lacerations are tears in the skin and tissue. These wounds are not cut by sharp thin objects like incisions but are torn open instead. The edges of the wound are jagged and irregular. Lacerations can be caused by impact with dull edges on objects and machinery or the claws of an animal. They are at increased risk of infection due to the likely presence of dirt. Puncture Wounds are caused by objects that penetrate the skin such as a bullet, knife, or nail. The object may enter and be withdrawn from the wound, enter and remain in the wound, or pass through the body and create an exit wound. Many times the exit wound will be larger and bleed more heavily. Even the smallest of puncture wounds may penetrate deep within the body, causing severe damage and bleeding. Avulsion are a flap of skin and tissue that is partially or completely torn away from the body. Avulsions can look terrible and may bleed heavily.

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