AMPUTATION
Amputation is detachment of a body part, such as an ear, finger, or foot. It is usually associated with a serious force or crushing injury, such as an animal bite. The immediate threats to life are bleeding and shock (see page 60).
If a body part is detached, apply firm pressure to the site of the bleeding where the tissue loss has occurred. Manage any serious bleeding (see page 54). Cover the wound with the cleanest available bandage, and then wrap firmly. Do not attempt to reattach the detached body part. If a digit is hanging on by a small “bridge” of skin or muscle, attempt to bandage it without completing the separation.
If the body part can be easily recovered and the victim can be brought to a hospital within 6 hours of the injury, do the following:
1. Gently rinse the body part if the cut end is contaminated with dirt.
2. Wrap the body part in clean cloth or gauze and keep the covering moist. The ideal solution is saline (not ocean water, because of infection risk), if that is available; if not, fresh water will do. Do not immerse the part in a bag of water; merely keep the covering moist. Keep the body part cool by placing it on ice after wrapping it securely in a bandage, cloth, or towel. To avoid a frostbite injury, do not apply ice directly to the body part or immerse it in ice water.
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