Amputation

An amputation is the complete loss of a body part, such as the severing of a finger, toe, arm or leg. Always save and protect the amputated body part. Medical advances have made it possible for doctors to reattach these dismembered body parts.

Your first priority is to attend to the victim. Immediately begin steps to control any heavy bleeding. Use direct pressure upon the wound site. In most cases direct pressure will be sufficient to control the bleeding. Use a tourniquet only as a last resort measure, when you feel you can’t control the bleeding and so much blood has been lost that death may occur due to blood loss.

Once the bleeding has been controlled, then find the amputated body part. If possible rinse the item to remove any visible contamination. Then warp this body part with something clean like a dressing or fabric. It’s best to keep this tissue dry. So if possible, place the amputated part into a plastic bag and seal it.

Keeping this body part cool will help preserve it until medical attention is available, but it is important not to freeze the tissue. Place the protect body art into a container that has ice, but make sure the amputated tissue does not have direct contact with the ice. Again keeping it cool is the point, but not so cold that it freezes and creates damage to the tissue.
Immediately transport the patient and the amputated item to a medical facility for further treatment.