Several conditions which require immediate attention are: an inadequate
airway, lack of breathing or lack of heartbeat, and excessive
loss of blood. A casualty without a clear airway or who is not
breathing may die from lack of oxygen. Excessive loss of blood
may lead to shock, and shock can lead to death; therefore, you
must act immediately to control the loss of blood. All wounds
are considered to be contaminated, since infection-producing organisms
(germs) are always present on the skin, on clothing, and in the
air. Any missile or instrument causing the wound pushes or carries
the germs into the wound. Infection results as these organisms
multiply. That a wound is contaminated does not lessen the importance
of protecting it from further contamination. You must dress and
bandage a wound as soon as possible to prevent further contamination.
It is also important that you attend to any airway, breathing,
or bleeding problem IMMEDIATELY because these
problems may become life-threatening.
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