Cuts and grazes

What to do

1. 1

   Clean the wound by rinsing it under running water or using sterile wipes.

2. 2

   Do not rub. Pat the wound dry using a gauze swab and cover it with sterile gauze. If you don’t have these, use a clean, non-fluffy cloth, like a tea towel.

3. 3

   For a cut, raise and support the injured part above the level of the heart. Avoid touching the wound.

4. 4

   Clean around the wound with soap and water. Make sure you are wiping away from the wound, using a clean swab for each stroke. Pat dry. Remove the cloth or gauze covering the wound and apply a sterile dressing or a large plaster.

5. 5

   Seek medical help if:

   • a wound won’t stop bleeding

   • a foreign object is embedded in the wound – like a splinter of wood or glass

   • the wound is from a human or animal bite

   • you think the wound might be infected

   • you are unsure whether the casualty has been immunised against tetanus.