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

[dedikated]

Enchanted it. [ She shrugs and places the knife on the table, clicking her tongue. ] My mentor said powers have 'wavelengths' or such, and I make things respond to them. It's just a question of how the thing needs to react.

[ Now, if only she could actually make it work with other people in this place. Something was sure making that difficult. ]

[zen_en_vert]

And what do you think is the best way for you to use it in Hadriel?

[He wonders, glancing around the clinic.]

[dedikated]

[ A deep inhale, one that allows her the seconds needed to parse an answer together. ]

Imagine it couldn't be much different from home. Setting up alarms to make sure this place is safe, or checking people over if they think something's wrong with their powers.

[zen_en_vert]

Well, let's start with alarms, if you're all right with that? And the powers, we can handle on a case by case basis.

[dedikated]

[ that is enough to make her lips quirk upwards for a moment. ]

Sure. I can set some up against the creatures that roam around here right now. [ she takes the knife, balancing it against her palm where it glows. ] They'll probably need recharging every few weeks.

[zen_en_vert]

That's good to know. If you vanish, I won't rely on them to work long.

How do I tell if they activate? I mean, would I see anything?

[dedikated]

I usually make them light up. Could make them sound out if that's better for you.

[zen_en_vert]

No, the light would be perfect, thank you. That'll be good for me.

[dedikated]

Reet. [ She pushes herself away from the table and stands, tugging the edge of her hoodie down over her jeans. ] Let's get to work.

[ And she'll begin with the nearest window. ]

So... Did you work in healthcare before you got here?

[zen_en_vert]

I did first aid and housecalls in India for a year or two, and before that I was a biomedical researcher. So I'm not a doctor, but.

[dedikated]

[ A moment or two later, she's done with the window. ]

Close enough. [ Her lips quirk up in a brief grin. ]

Lead th' way.

[zen_en_vert]

Through here.

[Is the next best spot. He heads for the back doorway.]

What about you? What were you back home?

[dedikated]

[ Let's follow! ]

Uh, a bit of everythin'. [ Which is sort of the truth. From essentially playing Superhuman Police, to eventually running a clinic back in LA while being dragged around for subterfuge and tension dissolving.

Uh, yeah, where to start. ] Most recently- Well, I guess you could say I was th' admin of a clinic.

[zen_en_vert]

Oh, then you definitely have to stay. Do more than ward. I mean, we have no economy, never mind anything like insurance or so much as a single patient record- but all the same.

[dedikated]

[ That gets a brief laugh, mid-tap of the doorframe. ] No economy, no trade... Means no payroll or inventory requisition forms, right? [ ... Actually. ] Those were always the worst parts. [ Let's finish up this door first. ]

Guess I could help out. What kind of structure do you have?

[zen_en_vert]

The one-man variety.

I coordinate supply needs with our volunteer scavengers and assign them cleaning tasks when they arrive to work in-clinic. We could use a cleaning schedule, and I'd love someone to help design and promote a syllabus for personal first aid classes.

[dedikated]

I could do that. [ the first part, at least, was simple enough. The second was somewhat new to her, but sounded within the range of doable. ]

How many healers do you have? [ she folds her arms, finger tapping against her upper arm idly; a lazy, calming drum. ]

[zen_en_vert]

Me, and another young man who just arrived. We've had others- but lost them over the months. People don't stay here long.

[dedikated]

[ Well... that makes her feel better about the staffing issues back home. w o w. ] Shit. Might need to advertise for some more staff for this place as well. [ Like, on top of the courses. ]

[zen_en_vert]

I'll have something up on the network in the next couple of days.

[IN fact, he moves towards his little office to begin drafting something up.]

Poke around. What's mine is yours- how do I spell your name again?

[dedikated]

[ alllrighty then! She will happily poke around. ]

D'ya need my full name or...?

[zen_en_vert]

Technically not. It's not as though I've got an employee roster or a wage to pay you-

But it'd be good to know?

[dedikated]

[ in that case? Hah, no. ]

Kate. Kate Galloway. G - a - l - l - [ stop her if you think that you've heard this one before. Otherwise it just gets spelled out ]