I was born with three feet — two at the ending of my legs and one locate on my left over subdivision . This left “ foot ” may look like a hand , but it ’s incapable of handling any of the work of an genuine hand . Simply put , I am left - side challenged !
Recently , I had an inauspicious encounter involving my right hand and a sledge . At the end of a very foresightful , tiring mean solar day in the garden , I was putting in one more garden marking before retiring to a hot rain shower . Lacking the forcible strength to pound off through a foot or two of hard clay , I opt to lend in the gravid gun for the problem and just get ’ er done promptly . Yes , hind survey is indeed 20/20 , but then again , it did ply me with enough “ hands on ” experience to discuss the topic of accidental injury on the homestead with a little authority .
1 . Assess the Damage ImmediatelyThere are several type of pain involved with excessive haemorrhage and potentially broken bones . I say that for the benefit of any bystander that are witnessing or undertake to assist an injured individual . While “ Where does it hurt ? ” is a very valid doubt , sometimes an injury can not be pinpointed like a shot , and therefore , “ everywhere ” is a very valid answer .
To the injured I say , endeavor to get through the profanity , puking or “ Ouch ! It hurts ! ” dance as quickly as potential . Immediately assess the wound for rave blood versus spurting rake and obvious candid break . This initial observation tells you if you need a tourniquet or just pressure , a dash to your med purse or a head trip to the ER . In my case , a quick rinse of several layers of turd was required prior to my analysis .
I take place to be very stubborn . My initial glance did tell me stitches were emphatically ask and a geological fault was likely , but I disregard myself . This is usually the clock time your mother would say , “ Do as I say , not as I do ! ” and that is what I am say now . My unwillingness to essay immediate medical tending result in a wound that can no longer be stitched , and is therefore more susceptible to infection and scarring .
2 . Stock Your Med KitThe meter to make certain your medical supplies are together and complete is not after an combat injury occurs ! I have a complete solidifying of medical supplies , but unfortunately , they were somewhat dot between bathrooms and kitchen cabinets due to recent small injuries , like splinter and blisters . The worst part was that I usually have an exigency outfit outside but had recently lend it in to restock and just never take around to it . That teach me about procrastinating !
Your emergency kit can be as all-embracing as you experience necessary , but there are a few staple that should be in every bag . Including bandage of various sizes is middling obvious , but you might also want to include uninspired gauze bandage . Gauze can be found in legion size of it and should be a staple in any first - help kit . In gain to thing to envelop / cover a razz - boo , you need something to keep infection out of it . But this includes more than unction . Because we work with animals and fecal matter , we should all have heavy duty cleansing agent , too . It is imperative to get all debris out of open injury , so a sound , solid cleanser you may soak your wounding in is a step in the ripe direction .
Do n’t stop your medical supplies there , though . Ice large number , braces and splints are all helpful even if a tripper to the physician is in order . I wo n’t give advice on medicament , as some can thin the blood line and do more hurt , medicines are a personal pick — if an ER tripper is in your futurity , the faculty may not be able to give you anything if you ’ve prescribed yourself , and permit ’s face it , they ordinarily have the better meds anyway ! ( Kidding ! Kidding ! )
3 . have intercourse and Articulate Details of the AccidentIt ’s amazing how important the modest details can be when a doc is trying to valuate an injury . In my case , because I did n’t go to the ER right away , the contingent were a act fuzzy . I later realized they were important to the Dr. because he needed to decide the course of tests to order . If the sledge hammer whacked me full force atop my hand , x - rays would show him what he needed to know . If , however , it grazed my hand and knuckles , a more in - astuteness feel was require . He would need to look at my hand from varying angle , to see hairline fractures , splintering , etc .
4 . Keep Your Shots Up To DateIt ’s up to you whether you choose to vaccinate your family , but if you do opt for snap , now ’s the metre to make indisputable they are up to date . As the nurse stand up in front of me with a midget needle , she informed me while the initial tetanus nip would be comparatively painless , it would probably exit my weapon system bid and immobile the next day . She suggested I take it in the left arm , as my right was already in so much pain in the neck . Weighing my options , I depart against her advice and instead opt to keep the ability to pick my own nose should the demand arise . I could not risk losing controller of both my arms ! This was , of course , prior to me realizing the extent of my leftover - sided challenge ! My point is , if it is metre for a few booster nip , get them now so you do n’t have to make a similar option !
5 . Embrace the Awkward Until You ’re HealedTo marrow up this experience , it sour out I did not fracture my right hand . However , I will have a nasty scratch on my middle finger because I did n’t try aesculapian attention speedily enough . I am presently at the mercy of anyone able to help oneself me as I have absolutely no control condition over my left hand and my correct hand is out of orderliness . This , unfortunately , put me in legion awkward situations daily :
I ’ll get out all other “ challenges ” to your active imagination and instead provide you with Mom ’s sage advice : An snow leopard of bar is worth a Cypriot pound of cure !
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