A wound is a physical trauma where the skin is torn, cut or punctured. Exposed to air, there is not only a significant chance of death due to loss of blood, but increased chance of bacteria entering the wound or an infection.

A person suffering from a significant wound may go into shock, and need serious medical attention. Wounds should be kept clean, and closed if possible until professional help is available.

Before any medical or paramedical evaluation, a wound is considered as minor when:

• it is superficial;
• it is away from natural orifices;
• there is only a minor bleeding;
• it was not caused by a tool or an animal.

Any other wound should be considered as severe. If there is any doubt, a wound should be considered as severe. "Severe" does not necessarily means that it endangers life, but it must at least be seen by a physician.

First aid

Minor wound

For a minor wound, the role of a bystander is essentially preventive:

• protection: it is important to remove the cause of wound so nobody else gets hurt, or at least to lead the casualty away and mark out the dangerous area;
• avoid further soiling: the bystander washes his hands, and makes the casualty wash his hands;
• avoid infection: the wound must be washed with water and soap
  — or —
  disinfected with an antiseptic (only one product should be used, as an antiseptic can react with soap or another antiseptic);
• prevention:
  • the bystander asks whether the casualty was vaccinated against tetanus (the last injection must be less than ten years old); if not, the casualty should be driven to a doctor to make the vaccination;
  • the following advice is given: "if tomorrow or in the following days the wound becomes red or hurts, it is a sign of infection; go to a doctor";
  • if there is a risk of dirt (e.g. playing child or work in contact of any liquid or dusty product), the wound must be covered with a sticking plaster, otherwise it can be let in the air.

Major wound

For major wound, the role of the bystander is to avoid an aggravation of the wound and to call for help:

• protection: it is important to remove the cause of wound so nobody else gets hurt, or at least to lead the casualty away and mark out the dangerous area; when the casualty cannot walk, he should not be moved unless the danger is deadly and real;
• avoid aggravation:
  • the casualty is let in the position he feels comfortable;
  • when there is an important bleeding, control it (press on the wound when possible);
• call for help:
  • the bystander has to describe the general state of the casualty (alertness, breath) and the wound itself;
  • the bystander then has to follow the instruction given by the EMS; it can be either "lead the person to a doctor", "lead the person to a hospital", or "stay besides the person and wait for the rescue team".

Warning: mind that in case of a severe wound, moving the casualty can kill.