A severed (amputated) finger is a very serious injury, but when you first arrive on the scene, you need to make sure the person doesn't have a more serious injury. Then your priority is to stop the bleeding and save the finger for use when reattaching the finger.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Taking the First Steps
Step 1. Look around the place to check for hazards
Before helping someone, make sure you don't find anything that could pose an immediate danger to you or others, such as electrical equipment that is still on.
Step 2. Check the consciousness
Find out if he's conscious enough to talk to you. You can start by asking his name.
If he is unconscious, it could indicate a more serious injury or a sense of shock
Step 3. Call for help
If you are the only person on site, call 119 for help. If there are other people nearby, assign one of them to call 119.
Step 4. Check for more serious injuries
A severed finger can look annoying because of all the blood that comes out, but make sure it's only the most serious injury before proceeding to treat it. For example, check for more serious bleeding wounds.
Step 5. Keep talking to the person
Help her stay calm by talking to her in a soft voice. Try not to panic yourself. Take a deep, slow breath, then ask the injured person to do the same.
Method 2 of 3: Performing First Aid
Step 1. Put on gloves
If gloves are available quickly, put them on before helping the person. Gloves will help protect yourself from any blood-borne diseases you may have. Gloves are sometimes available in the first aid kit (First Aid in Accident).
Step 2. Clean the dirt
If you can clearly see bits of dirt or debris on the wound, you can clean it by rinsing it with clean running water (you can pour it from a water bottle if you can't reach the sink). But if you see something stuck or something big, leave it there.
Step 3. Take care that the wound does not bleed more
Using a clean cloth or gauze, apply pressure to the injured area. Try to hold the blood flow by pressing it.
Step 4. Lift the injured part
Make sure the hand with the severed finger is higher than the heart, as lifting it up will help slow the bleeding.
Step 5. Ask the person to lie down
Help him lie down with a blanket or rug as a base to keep him warm.
Step 6. Keep pressing on the wound
Even if the wound is still bleeding, keep pressing on the wound. If you feel tired, ask someone else to take your place. If it doesn't seem like the blood has stopped at all, make sure you close the wound properly.
- If you can't keep the pressure on, you can apply a tight bandage. But a tight bandage can be bad over time. To apply a bandage, wrap the area around the wound with a piece of cloth or gauze, and use adhesive tape to keep it in place.
- Keep applying pressure until help arrives.
Method 3 of 3: Saving Fingers
Step 1. Clean the finger
Wash your fingers gently to remove dirt, especially if the wound looks dirty.
Ask someone else to do these steps if you are still applying pressure to the wound
Step 2. Remove the jewelry
If possible, gently remove any attached rings or jewelry. Jewelry may be more difficult to remove later.
Step 3. Wrap your finger in a damp tissue or gauze
Lightly moisten a clean tissue with sterile saline if available (contact lens cleaning solution can be used), or use tap or bottled water, if saline solution is not available. Squeeze the tissue to remove excess fluid. Wrap your finger with a tissue.
Step 4. Place the finger into the plastic bag
Place the wrapped finger in a plastic clip bag. Seal the bag.
Step 5. Prepare a bag or bucket of ice
Add water and ice to a plastic clip bag or larger bucket. Insert the finger-sealed pouch into the larger pouch.
Do not place your finger directly in water or ice, as this will cause frostbite and damage the skin. Don't use dry ice either, as it can get too cold
Step 6. Hand the finger to the paramedic
Once help arrives, let them take control of the finger.
Tips
Fingers immersed in cold or ice water (fingers must be in a sealed plastic clip bag) will remain usable for up to 18 hours; without refrigerating, fingers can only be used for four to six hours. If you can't put it in cold water, at least keep it away from heat
Warning
- Saving the person is more important than saving the finger; always go to the injured person first.
- This is a serious injury. Immediately call emergency services.
