How to Attend to a Stab Wound
If you are seriously injured or bleeding call 911, or else have a friend/relative take you to the hospital immediately. Knives and other sharp instruments should be handled with caution. If for some reason you are injured by a knife seek professional aid immediately.
[edit] Steps
- Do not try to take the knife out! In doing so, you are likely to cause additional damage. The knife must be treated as a foreign object.
- Do not try to relocate unless you are in danger of further injury, eg. in a road.
- Try to raise the injured limb if possible to help stem the bleeding. If another person is available, have them gently squeeze together the edges of the wound alongside the knife blade. If the wound is bleeding profusely, apply indirect pressure to the major artery or arteries leading to the area, such as the brachial (inside upper arm) or femoral (groin) arteries, for an arm or leg injury respectively.
- Place suitable sterile dressings or soft clean material to hand, it is essential to cover the wound as soon as possible. Apply padding around the knife (gauze, if available) and secure with a bandage or other suitable material. DO NOT LIFT OR REMOVE THE DRESSING as this will disrupt clot formation and re-start the bleeding. If the dressing becomes soaked with blood, add more cloth material on top of it; do not removed the bloody dressing.
- Call 911 or get someone to do it for you if possible and inform the operator of your injury and the actions you have taken to prevent further damage. Arrange transport to hospital.
- Beware of anything that could cause the knife to be jolted, moved, hit or knocked out. If the injury is to your chest and the knife is still present, sit in a half-sitting position and treat as above. If the knife has been removed, immediately seal the open wound with your palm. Position yourself in a half-sitting position against an object or have someone support you. Lean slightly to the injured side so your sound side is uppermost. Cover the wound carefully with a sterile dressing, then form an airtight seal (if possible) over the dressing. Use clean cling film, aluminium foil, or a plastic bag if need be. Sling the arm on the injured side, but be careful not to let the arm rest on the wound. Put soft material between the wound and the arm.
- Look to see if the injury is to your abdomen and the knife is present, lie on your back with bent knees and treat as in step 5. If the knife has been removed, lie on your back with bent knees, and dress the wound with sterile dressing. If the intestines are protruding, apply extra padding. Secure with a bandage or other suitable material. If you need to cough or vomit, apply light pressure to the dressing to prevent the intestines protruding (further).
[edit] Tips
- If another person is available, always have them call the emergency services immediately, before attending to the casualty.
- It is important that you treat the wound as soon as possible to prevent infection.
- Always have a number on hand to call someone in case there is an emergency and you need physical assistance right away.
- If the wound isn't very deep and the knife slips out easily, remove the knife carefully and apply immediate direct pressure to the wound.
- If you have limited supplies, try to use sterile dressings on the wound, then reinforce them by putting inprovised non-sterile cloth (towels, shirts, etc.) on top of the sterile dressing.
[edit] Warnings
- If you are seriously injured and/or bleeding call 911 else have a friend/relative take you to the hospital immediately.
- Do not try to move the casualty unless it is imperative. If the casualty is at risk of further injury, move only as far as is necessary to be clear of danger.
- Being stabbed is no joke, it can cause more damage than getting shot. A bullet cauterizes everything it goes through but the stomach. But a knife leaves everything open and bleeding.
- Use gloves to prevent transmission of any possible diseases.
[edit] Things You'll Need
- A First Aid kit if possible. If not, soft clean material will suffice.
- Bystanders for assistance, if possible.










