video: ongoing first aid

[zen_en_vert]

Hello everyone. My name is Doctor Banner, and I help organize the clinic here in Hadriel. About a month back, I talked on here about wound care, given the shortage of effective antibiotics in the city.

Now, since none of us can do the normal thing and just google this, I'd like to go on a bit more today about what to do if you or someone you know is bleeding.


First of all, if at all possible, wash your hands. I know that out on the ground you might not be able to do that, but whenever you can, treat injuries with clean hands, or even better, a pair of gloves.

The acronym that they use in first aid training is RED, for blood. Red, as in rest, elevation, and direct pressure. If you can get the person sitting down and as calm as possible, that's good- elevate the injury above their heart, if you can, then apply direct pressure to stop the bleeding.

You do it with clean fabric if you have it- bandages are ideal, but you can do clothing in a pinch. If someone is deeply cut and in danger of bleeding out, I've seen it done with duct tape applied directly to the skin, but I wholeheartedly caution against it unless it's literally a life or death emergency.

After this stage, get yourself or your friend to the clinic, or do home care to get the dirt or debris out of the cuts. Gravel, filth, anything of any kind needs to be cleared away with clean water, with soap and a washcloth, or with tweezers cleaned with alcohol. In the real world, this is where you'd be sent to get a tetanus shot, which I have absolutely no ability to give any of you right now- so just. Try really hard not to get tetanus. I'll see if I can scrape something together; anyone who hasn't had a tetanus booster in the last ten years may want to consider coming by, if I can work it out.

For a long time we used hydrogen peroxide, iodine or an iodine-containing cleanser, which can be irritating to tissue already injured. Best medical practice is not to apply those sorts of really astringent products any more, and to stay with soap, and an applied antibiotic.

We do have more of the topical creams and ointments available in the clinic now, so if you'd like to come by, I can give out a small supply. On any injury, bandages need to be changed once a day, or sooner if they're wet or dirty.

Now; stitches. Any deep cut will need stitches. If you see muscle, if you see fat, if the wound appears gaping or at all jagged, you need stitches. Adhesive is not a substitute, tape is not a substitute, stitches are the only thing that minimize your risk of infection, never mind scarring, which I assume few of you care about. Let me stress again that with the level of medical care here, an infection is likely to be fatal. I know that even our fatalities aren't technically consistently fatal, but let's be better safe than sorry. Stitches, I can teach in person, or we can go over next time.

I think I covered pretty much everything else in the infection post- if you'd like any more information about that or reminders, don't hesitate to let me know.

Comments

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[wipedclean]

is there really so few supplies?

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[zen_en_vert]

Yes. With how dangerous the city is- yes.

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[pellameno]

I didn't know there was a clinic here... do you often need help in it? I can heal, and I'd like to learn from you as well.

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[zen_en_vert]

There is- and we definitely do.

If you leave the second tower and take the main road, it's on the left- it's all painted, you can't miss it.

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[hotspurred]

[Considering the fact that Henry is dressed in plate armour, it is safe to assume that he's never had a vaccine in his life. His expression, at least, is attentive and thoughtful.]

I thank thee for the information. We are fortunate to have a surgeon in our midst. Pardon my ignorance, but would you clarify two points?

[He holds up an armoured finger for each one as he continues.]

These 'antibiotics'... how does one not familiar determine them? And what be the symptoms of this 'tetanus'?

[video]

[mismanagement]

[Guess who just realized exactly how bad Henry's medical knowledge is. Maketh looks slightly horrified.]

Please tell me you know how to dress a wound.

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[zen_en_vert]

Antibiotics are something that people developed at a technology point after yours, to help prevent infection. The way you might have used honey, or certain herbs, there are now more highly specified salves and creams to chase fever and rot out.

Tetanus manifests with symptoms of jaw swelling, spasms, or locking, similar symptoms in the neck, and difficulty swallowing.

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[unabatedly]

That's a good amount of information. You have my thanks.

[ Antibiotics are unfamiliar to her but the rest of the advice seems fairly solid. Field medicine is important to addressing wounds as they occur and when there is little in the way of immediate help. ]

Are there enough people helping in the clinic? I can heal and have been doing so for years. I can offer my services if you have need of them.

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[zen_en_vert]

We always need more help at the clinic. I'd be very happy to ask for your services; when would be a good time to show you around?

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[whichend]

[ Arya knows about wound care from her time on the road, but one thing Bruce has said doesn't make any sense. ]

What is a tetanus? I do not think I have any.

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[zen_en_vert]

You definitely don't. Lockjaw, swelling and pain in the face and neck, irritability and difficulty swallowing.

[ampliat]

Do you have needles? Is giving someone stitches like sewing up a hole in jeans or something?

Not that I'm trying to be morbid about it. I'm just wondering if my experience with clothing will translate.

Seriously, though, thanks for this. Some of us could really use all the help we can get.

[zen_en_vert]

It's definitely different- but I'd prefer to demonstrate in person rather than over the network. Come by the clinic and we can go over it.

The skill set that makes you good at sewing will be useful, even if the approach isn't identical.

[text]

[mismanagement]

I appreciate you sharing this information with everyone. It's appreciated.

[text]

[zen_en_vert]

Anything I can do to help.

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[unfollowing]

we'll also try not to eat contaminated food

oh wait, we can't really help that because we don't really have a choice in what happens to us here! WOW!

great advice, doc. thank you for your wisdom

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[zen_en_vert]

If you're here to pick fights, take it elsewhere.

[wormintheglass]

Doctor Banner.

[He looks like the Dr Banner Bianca knew, but she already knew there was more than one of him.]

Where are you running your clinic from?

[zen_en_vert]

Just one of the empty houses, I'm afraid. It's the best we could do.

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[prespangled]

Really? No iodine?

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[zen_en_vert]

Times are a-changing, Cap.

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[unknowable]

I've done stitches before and nothing went horribly wrong, but any actual instruction or tips you have would probably be better.

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[zen_en_vert]

I'm definitely organizing an in-person demo.

text;

[dedikated]

So there is a clinic?

[ It's a good thing she's sort of familiar with this - having healers makes basic first aid not exactly an essential skill - but guess who's been completely unaware that a clinic existed and dealing with her injuries herself? ]

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[zen_en_vert]

There is; it's on the road the connects the two housing towers.

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[hungryasacaveman]

[Koda's medical knowledge is limited to splinting broken bones, covering open wounds and knowing that raw meat makes you sick. This is a whole new world of confusing terms.]

I... confused. I never heard... lots of those words before.

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[zen_en_vert]

Come to the clinic if you get hurt.

[There; the abbreviated version.]

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[werewolfing]

That was useful, Doc. You thinking about giving any classes? If a bunch of us want to learn how to do stitches, might as well get it out of the way once, right?

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[zen_en_vert]

I'm definitely considering organizing one. It'll be bring your own monster corpse. Bring your own body?

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[quaerit]

[ Gansey appears on video with a confident smile, and keen interest on his face. ]

I'm not very accomplished at first aid, I have to admit. I can put on a bandage if it doesn't have to look pret

I'd like to be better. If you'd be happy to teach, I'd be happy to learn.

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[zen_en_vert]

Absolutely. I'm happy to do first aid training in person, come by the clinic whenever you'd like.

I don't think we've met?

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[cowardley]

This is really helpful, Doctor, and... I think I'd like to learn more, if it wouldn't be any trouble for you.

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[zen_en_vert]

Not at all.

What would you be curious about learning about? If I were designing lesson plans.

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[casperdisaster]

I think I'd faint if I had to give someone else stitches.

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[zen_en_vert]

Yeah- don't worry. You'll have people on hand to help.

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[dragonbite]

[ That is way too many words for Vaiz to keep listening; his attention span is way too short for that.

He did hear some words at the start that he didn't get, though. ]

Antibiotics? Google?

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[zen_en_vert]

Antibiotics prevent injuries from becoming infected, basically. Google is too much to explain.