Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Taking the first steps
• Method 2 of 3: Administer first aid
• Method 3 of 3: Save the finger
• Tips
• Warnings

A detached (amputated) finger is a serious injury. But if you are the first to arrive, you must first find out if the person has no more serious injuries. After this, your priorities are to stop the bleeding and keep the finger for later use.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Taking the first steps

1. Check the area for immediate danger. Before you start helping someone, look around to see if you see anything that could put you or others in immediate danger, such as a machine that is still running.
2. Check if the injured person is conscious. Find out if the person is conscious enough to talk to you. For example, ask for the person's name first.
   • If the person is unconscious, it may indicate a more serious injury or shock.
3. Call 112. If you are the only one around you should call 112 and ask for help. If others are nearby, order someone else to call 112.
4. Check for more serious injuries. A severed finger can be a distraction because of all the blood, but make sure this is the most serious injury before treating the person. For example, check that there is no other wound with more blood loss.
5. Keep talking to the person. Calm the person by continuing to speak in a reassuring tone. Try not to panic yourself. Speak slowly, breathe gently, and ask the other person to do the same.

Method 2 of 3: Administer first aid

1. Put on gloves. If gloves are available, it is best to put on gloves before helping the person. Gloves protect you against any diseases that can be transmitted through blood. Some first aid kits contain gloves.
2. Clean the wound. If you can clearly see bits of debris on the wound, you can remove it with clean, running water (pour from a water bottle if you don't have a sink). But if an object or something big is stuck in the wound, you better leave it in.
3. Prevent the wound from bleeding more. Apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or gauze. Try to stop the bleeding by applying pressure.
4. Keep your hand up. Make sure the hand with the wound is above the heart, as the bleeding will be less when the wound is higher.
5. Let the person lie. Help the person lie down, preferably on a blanket or carpet to keep warm.
6. Keep applying pressure. If the wound continues to bleed, continue to apply pressure to the wound. Ask someone else to take over when you get tired. If the pressure doesn't seem to make a difference and it continues to flow, at least cover the wound well.
   • If you can't keep applying pressure, you can apply a tight bandage. However, the disadvantage of a tight bandage is that it can cause further injuries. Wrap a piece of cloth or bandage around the wound and tape it down with tape to keep it in place.
   • Keep applying pressure until help arrives.

Method 3 of 3: Save the finger

1. Clean the finger. Gently wash the finger to remove any debris, especially if the wound looks dirty.
   • Have someone else do this if you are still applying pressure.
2. Remove jewelry. Remove rings and other jewelry if possible. It may be more difficult to remove later.
3. Wrap the finger in a piece of damp kitchen paper or gauze. Dampen a piece of clean kitchen paper with sterile saline solution if available (use eyeglass, for example), or tap or bottled water if nothing else is available. Wring out plenty of liquid from the kitchen paper. Wrap the finger in the paper towel.
4. Place the finger in a plastic bag. Place the wrapped finger in a plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly watertight.
5. Make an ice pack or ice bucket. Place ice and water in a larger bag or bucket. Place the bag in the larger bag with your finger.
   • Never put the finger in water or ice without protection, as this can damage the skin. Do not use dry ice as it is too cold.
6. Give the finger to the ambulance workers. As soon as the help arrives you can give your finger to them.

Tips

• A finger that has been kept in cold water or ice (with the finger first put in a sealed plastic bag) can still be attached for up to 18 hours after the accident; without refrigeration, this must be done within four to six hours. If you cannot keep the finger in cold water, at least make sure that the finger does not get warm.

Warnings

• Saving someone's life is more important than saving someone's finger; offers help to the person in question first.
• This is a serious injury. Notify the emergency services as soon as possible.