Combat Lifesaving Flashcards
What is shock?
Failure of the cardiovascular system to pump blood to all parts of the body
What are the signs and symptoms of shock?
- Sweaty but cool skin
- Pale skin
- Restlessness, nervousness
- Thirst
- Loss of blood (caused by internal or external bleeding)
- CONFUSION OR LOSS OF AWARENESS
- Faster than normal breathing rate
- Blotchy or bluish skin (especially around the mouth and lips)
- Nausea and vomiting
How many liters of blood does the average adult contain?
5
Hemorrhagic shock will occur with how much blood loss?
20%+
How long can it take for a body to bleed out?
60 - 120 seconds
What are the causes of hemorrhagic shock?
- External loss of whole blood
- Internal hemorrhage
- Extreme loss of plasma due to sever burns
What are the steps to prevent and treat for shock?
- Move the casualty to cover
- Position the casualty on his back
- Elevate the casualty’s feet higher than the level of his heart
- Loosen clothing at the neck, waist or wherever it may be binding
- Prevent chilling or overheating
- Calm the casualty
- DO NOT give the casualty food or drink
What are the two types of soft tissue injuries?
- Closed wounds (skin is not broken)
- Open wounds (skin is broken)
How are closed wounds caused?
Blunt objects striking the body with sufficient force to crush the tissue beneath the skin
What is a contusion?
When blood leaks into the wound
What is a hematoma?
A blood tumor - when serious amounts of tissue are damaged a ump may develop rapidly
What are the classifications of open wounds?
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Incisions
- Puncture wounds
What is an abrasion?
A loss of a portion of the epidermis and part of the dermas from its being rubbed or scraped across a hard surface
What is a laceration?
A cut produced by glass, metal, or any other object that may leave a jagged wound on the sking surface and cut through the subcutaneous tissue, the underlying muscles, associated nerves, and blood vessels
What is an incision?
Same thing as a laceration, but has no jagged edges
What is a puncture wound?
A wound caused by a knife, nail, ice pick, splinter, or any other pointed object
What is a perforating wound?
When a puncture wound traverses the entire limb to exit the opposite side
Impaled objects should or should not be removed from the wound?
Should not
How do you treat an open wound?
- Control the bleeding through direct pressure, pressure points, or a tourniquet
- Prevent contamination with a sterile dressing
- Try and prevent infection
How are the considerations when emplacing bandages?
- Unless direct pressure is required, do not apply too tightly to prevent blood loss to extremities
- Do not apply too loosely, or it may not hold the dressing in place
- Leave fingers and toes exposed so that color change may be observed
- Immobilize and elevate the injured part in the event of serious bleeding
What are the three categories of special wounds?
- Avulsion
- Crushing wound
- Amputations
What is an avulsion?
An injury in which a whole piece of skin with varying portions of tissue or muscles is torn loose completely or left hanging as a flap
What is a crushing wound?
Contusions that are more severs, as the underlying skeletal support is also damaged
What is an amputation?
The separation of either digits or limbs from the victim’s body
