Stab injuries may sound scary, but with a few simple first-aid skills, you can help the victim. Thousands of people end up in the ER every year due to accidental or intentional stab wounds. When you attend to someone with a stab wound, you need to know the steps and respond quickly to save their life. In this guide, we will walk through the steps of providing first aid to a person with a stab wound. Whether it’s calling for help or using a tourniquet, these actions can help stabilize the person until professional medical help arrives.
What is a Stab Wound?
A stab wound is a deep cut or puncture in the skin and underlying tissues, usually caused by a sharp object like a knife, broken glass, or a sharp tool. Unlike a scrape or shallow cut, a stab wound penetrates deeper into the body and can reach muscles, organs, or blood vessels, making it more dangerous.
Stab wounds can be caused by accidents or intentional harm. For example, someone might accidentally get stabbed while handling a sharp object, like a kitchen knife, or while working with tools. In other cases, a stab wound can occur during a fight or attack, where someone intentionally uses a sharp object to harm another person.
Stab wounds can happen even during everyday tasks. Here’s an example that shows just how quickly an accident can turn serious.
Case Study: Alex’s Accident
One day, Alex was cooking at home. While chopping vegetables, the knife slipped from his hand and fell, stabbing his thigh. At first, he thought it was just a small cut, but then he saw it was bleeding a lot. He felt pain and noticed he couldn’t move his leg well. His family called for help, and he was taken to the hospital.
At the hospital, the doctors cleaned the wound and checked to see if the knife had hurt any important muscles or blood vessels. Luckily, it hadn’t reached any critical parts, but he needed stitches to close the wound. The doctors also gave him antibiotics to prevent infection since the knife might have had bacteria on it. After a few weeks of rest and keeping the wound clean, Alex’s leg healed, and he was able to walk normally again.
The severity of a stab wound depends on how deep the object penetrates and where it enters the body. For instance, if the wound is near an organ like the heart, lungs, or liver, it can be life-threatening. Stab wounds also have a higher risk of infection, especially if the object used is contaminated. Immediate medical attention is required to stop bleeding, prevent infection, and treat any internal damage.
Now let us see how to treat a stab wound.
12 Steps For Treating a Stab Wound
Stab wounds are serious injuries that can lead to heavy bleeding and other life-threatening complications. Each year, over 400,000 stab wounds are treated in the US. Let us look at the steps to take for treating a stab wound:
- Call Emergency Services
The first step is to call for help. Dial your emergency number and explain the situation briefly but clearly. You should give the location of the incident. Describe the injury, including whether the knife is still in the wound or has been removed. Also, mention the victim’s condition, such as whether they are conscious, breathing, or bleeding heavily. Getting professional medical help should be your top priority.
- Ensure the Victim’s Safety and Comfort
While waiting for emergency services, stay calm and reassure the injured person. If they are conscious, ask them to stay still and avoid moving. Excessive movement can cause further damage, especially if the knife is still inside them. If they are panicking or in pain, try to calm them by speaking slowly and keeping them comfortable.
- Do not Remove the Object
If the stabbing object is still lodged in the wound, do not remove it. Taking it out could make the bleeding much worse. The object could also be holding damaged blood vessels together. Moving it can lead to serious blood loss, which can be life-threatening. Instead, keep the object in place and try to keep it from moving. You can wrap cloths or bandages around it to hold it steady. In addition, removing the object can sometimes be illegal, especially if it’s part of a crime scene. In these cases, moving the object could destroy evidence, and your fingerprints on it might cause problems in a criminal investigation. So, it’s best to leave the object alone and let emergency responders handle it.
- Control Bleeding
If the object has been removed or if there is no object in the wound, controlling the bleeding is the priority. Stab or knife wounds can bleed significantly, especially if they are deep or near major blood vessels. To manage this, use a clean cloth, gauze, or bandage to cover the wound and apply pressure. If blood soaks through the cloth or bandage, avoid removing it; instead, place another layer on top. Use firm but gentle pressure to stop the bleeding, being cautious not to press too hard, as excessive pressure can cause more pain or additional damage, particularly if internal organs are affected.
In rare cases, the stabbing object may have been removed before you arrive. If that happens, focus on stopping the bleeding as quickly as possible. To do so, you need to put direct pressure on the wound and place a dressing to prevent further blood loss. Keep the person lying flat and as still as possible to avoid more blood loss or injury.
- Position the Victim Properly
To help minimize blood loss, position the person correctly. If the wound is on their arms or legs, elevate the limb above heart level to slow down the bleeding. Keep the victim lying flat with their legs slightly raised (unless the wound is on the stomach or chest). This helps maintain blood flow to vital organs.
- Monitor Breathing and Consciousness
While waiting for emergency services, you need to check if the victim is breathing normally and remains conscious. Stab wounds, especially to the chest or abdomen, can affect breathing or lead to shock. To check for breathing, see if the chest rises and falls. Listen for the sounds of breathing and feel the victim’s breath against your cheek.
- Recognize Signs of Shock
When someone is stabbed, they can go into shock, which occurs when the body isn’t getting enough blood flow. Shock is life-threatening, so recognize the signs early and respond. Pale, cold, or clammy skin, rapid heartbeat, shallow or fast breathing, confusion, or dizziness are all signs of shock. To treat shock, you need to wrap the victim with a blanket or coat. It will keep the victim warm. Encourage them to lie down and stay still and elevate their legs if possible to help blood flow to the heart. Stay by their side and continue to offer reassurance.
- Avoid Offering Food or Drink
Do not offer the victim anything to eat or drink. Although they may feel thirsty, giving food or drink could cause problems if they need surgery. Before surgery, patients must stay NPO (“Nothing by Mouth”) to avoid issues with anesthesia. Simply reassure them that help is coming soon and explain that not eating or drinking is necessary for their safety.
- Cover the Wound After Bleeding is Controlled
Once you have stopped or significantly slowed the bleeding, cover the wound with a sterile bandage or clean cloth. This helps protect the wound from dirt or bacteria that could cause infection.
- Wait for Professional Help
After attending to the wound, stay with the person and monitor their condition until emergency services arrive. Talk to them, keep them calm, and ensure they remain as still as possible to avoid worsening the injury. Ask them to take slow, deep breaths to help ease any panic or anxiety while waiting for help. This can make them feel a little more relaxed and in control.
- Prevent Infection
Infection is a common concern in stab or knife wounds, especially if the injury was caused by a dirty or contaminated object. Once professional help arrives and the wound has been treated, follow medical advice to prevent infection. This may include cleaning the wound with antiseptics, changing bandages regularly, and taking antibiotics as prescribed by a doctor.
- Recognizing Critical Areas for Stab Wounds
Not all stab wounds are equally dangerous. Some areas of the body are more likely to result in life-threatening injuries due to the presence of vital organs, arteries, or large blood vessels. The high-risk areas include the chest, abdomen, neck, and head. A wound near the neck poses a risk of cutting major blood vessels or damaging the windpipe. A wound in the head can be fatal, especially if the brain is affected.
Note: Before rushing to help, make sure the area is safe. If the stabbing occurred during a violent situation, like a fight, ensure the danger has passed or is under control. Do not approach the injured person if the threat is still present, as it puts you in danger.
Read More: 7 Essential Medical Supplies for Your Travel First Aid Kit
Emotional Support After a Stabbing Incident
Experiencing or witnessing a stabbing can be traumatic or stressful. After such an event, the person involved might need emotional and mental support, not just physical treatment. Studies show that people who go through traumatic events may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which includes symptoms like anxiety, nightmares, or flashbacks. You need to encourage the person to talk with a counselor or mental health professional.
Friends and family should continue offering support and understanding, as recovery can take time. If signs of trauma appear, such as trouble sleeping or feeling anxious often, they should see a counselor. Talking about the experience and getting help can make a big difference in their recovery.
What are Tourniquets?
A tourniquet is a medical device used to stop heavy bleeding, especially in the arms or legs, by cutting off blood flow to the injured area. It’s often used in emergencies when regular methods, like applying pressure, don’t work to control the bleeding. Tourniquets are most helpful for deep cuts, stab wounds, or accidents that cause severe bleeding. To use a tourniquet, follow these steps:
- Place the Tourniquet: Position it 2-3 inches above the wound, closer to the heart. Avoid placing it over a joint, like the elbow or knee, as this can make it less effective.
- Tighten the Tourniquet: Pull the strap tight around the limb until the bleeding slows or stops. The tourniquet should be tight enough to stop blood flow but shouldn’t cause excessive pain.
- Secure the Tourniquet: Most tourniquets have a handle or stick (called a windlass) that you twist to tighten further. Once it’s tight, lock it in place so it doesn’t loosen.
- Note the Time: Write down the time you applied the tourniquet. Medical professionals need to know this because a tourniquet should not stay on for more than 2 hours to avoid damaging the tissue.
Read More: 9 Basic Life-Saving Skills That Will Help You Save A Life
Be Prepared to Save a Life!
Attending a stab wound requires quick thinking and careful action to prevent further injury and control bleeding. First of all, assess the situation and provide immediate first aid to stabilize the victim and potentially save their life. Do not remove the object from the wound and position the person properly while waiting for professional medical help. If you’re interested in learning more life-saving skills, consider taking a certified first aid course today. Being prepared means being ready to act when it matters most!
