Always approach the casualty from the opposite side of the injury. If someone Presents a cut on left side of the scalp, hold a handkerchief or towel to the head, Stand on the right and get down to head to head level as nears possible. You will Find that any cut on the scalp, however superficial, may bleed profusely since The head has a rich blood supply. Ask if you may take a look and proceed as follow :
- Lift only one side of the temporary dressing and take a look at the injury. Removal of the whole pad may encourage fresh bleeding or disturb the clotting
- Process.
- If the casualty is “with it” and can walk, take them to nearest source of water since you will have to clean the wound to examine it more thoroughly.
- Make sure there is nothing embedded in the scalp .
- Do not cut away any hair- leave that to staff at the hospital if the injury warrants removal to the casualty department.
- Put on a fresh, sterile dressing and apply a head bandage. This will apply pressure to the wound sand hold the dressing in place.
- Clean the casualty up and either send to hospital or advise a visit to doctor.
- If you find a foreign body embedded in the cut, do not remove it. Apply indirect Pressure either side of the injury by using two rolled-up dressing or use a ring pad which will provide more pressure. Then anchor this with a head bandage. Stay With the casualty until the ambulance arrives and monitor their condition.
