First Aid Hints to Drivers

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6841, 23 April 1932, Page 8

First Aid Hints to Drivers

Broken glass is a serious incnaco in all road accidents. Tlio face, particularly, is liable to cuts from flying pieces, as it is not protected by clothing. The glass, having .very sharp edges, inflicts incised cuts which bleed .very freely. If, states a contributor to a motor journal, an artery has been severed the blood will spurt out, often to quite a considerable distance, with each beat of tho heart. It will also be bright red in colour. Speed in stopping this kind of bleeding is imperative. (Death, through loss of blood, may ensue within a few minutes. Lay tho patient ou his back. In this position tho heart beats slowest. If |he faco has been cut raise tho head a little. This lessens tho force of the blood to tho affected part, Remove &ny glass left in the wound, but do not probe for any you cannot see. Tbo cut artery must be closed by pressing it against a nearby bone. Use the thumbs for this, but do not dig the nails into fho patient’s flesh. Exert pressure at 3, convenient spot between the cut and teart. Bleeding from the neck can be stopped in this way by pressing tho carotid artery back against the spine. .The thumbs should be adjacent to one Another. The carotid artery can be found on each side of tho windpipe, tnidway between tho ear and the shoul£er. To exert greater pressure with she thumbs the hands may be placed found the back of the head. Bleeding from the chin, lips, cheeKs Bud the outside of tho nose can best be by pressing the facial artery. This can be located in tho hollow of the lower jaw, about two fingers’ breadth in front, and on each side of the angle of the jaw. The temporal Briery, just in front ,of the ear, if pressed, will stop bleeding from the forehead. The services of a doctor are essential in all cases, but, pending his arrival, the cut may bo washed with an antiseptic solution, such as iodine in cold water, and covered with a soft dry dressing of white lint. If the cut is not so serious, however, and the bleeding can bo stopped, the dressing may be padded with cottonwool and kept in position by means of ja, bandage. The patient can then be taken to a doctor. Puss tho bandage across tho forehead and round the head for a cut ou the forehead. Be sure that the bandage is placed just below the widest part of the head, .otherwise it will easily slip off. Per other parts of tho face strips of adhesive plaster can probably bo employed more advantageously. If tho cuts are very extensive a mask can be made out of lint and applied right over the face. Holes should be cut for tho pyes and nose. Stimulating drinks, such as hot tea and coffee, should not be given until the bleeding has been definitely stopped, otherwise the increased action of the heart will bring on further bleeding. When, however, tho bleeding has been finally stopped a stimulating drink Ja desirable. Also, loosen all tight clothing on the patient, keep him warm and encourage sleep.