Hot First Aid Posts

How To: Suture a wound with a skin flap closed

Many lacerations feature skin flaps dangling from the wound, begging to be reattached. It is very challenging to suture such a wound and reattach the skin without causing it to bunch up or hang too loosely. This medical demonstration video features a doctor explaining how to do just that, performing a flap suture quickly and efficiently.

How To: Tape an ankle quick and easily

Athletes and accident-prone people, this video may save your life! Brush up on your first aid skills with help from this free tutorial. Learn how to tape an injured ankle quickly and easily with these step-by-step instructions.

How To: Easily tape an ankle sprain

Runners, gymnasts, and others who are prone to injury: Listen up! In this video, learn how to properly tape up an ankle spran in case of injury. Brush up on your first aid skills with help from this free tutorial.

How To: Use a cane

Lauren Dickerson and Ed Barnett demonstrates how to properly use a cane. Using a cane is appropriate when you have impaired mobility of any kind such as an injury caused by a knee or a hip. First, measure the cane. Hold the cane about four inches away from you and it should come to hip height. When the cane is the right length, your arm should come at a 30 degree angle. Hold the cane on the stronger side of your body. When you walk, bring the cane and your weaker leg out together. Then bring ...

How To: Perform a laparoscopic suture in surgery

This video is about Laparoscopic Suturing Techniques.The video begins with the narrator saying that the technique is widely used in major abdominal surgeries and mastering of the techniques would give great confidence in the surgical procedures.There are various types of laproscopic needle drivers are available which can be selected according to preference.Different types of 10 millimeter laproscopic ports are available,however the valves used in the ports are important for performing extra c...

How To: Treat a bee sting

In this video, we learn how to treat a bee sting with Dr. Karen Sheehan. Wasps can sting you over and over, so make sure if you or your child is around one, you get away as quickly as possibly. A honeybee will only sting once but it will keep its stinger inside of your body, make sure you remove the as soon as possible. Another thing to do to make your child more comfortable is to give them Benadryl, and give them the appropriate dose. Also putting ice on the site for 20 minutes every hour wi...

How To: Perform a two handed suture tie on an animal

luvk9ines gives a tutorial on how to tie a two-handed suture tie for veterinary purposes. To begin the two-hand suture tie, knot the two ties together and continue to knot but you will alternate the direction of each knot. One knot/tie will be interlinked from the top and the next knot will be interlinked from the bottom. In other words, pretend that you are making a knot on a tie and each time you make the knot, the tie on the left will be going in the bottom direction. The next knot, the ti...

How To: Suture a wound and understand suturing techniques

Lee T. Dresang, MD of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health from the Deaprtment of Family Medicine give a discussion and demonstration of suturing techniques. Before beginning a procedure, you will need consent. One should irrigate lesion before beginning. A simple interrupted suture is easy to learn and fast, but unable to withstand stress. Vertical mattress sutures provide a good eversion of skin edges, closure of dead space, and strength, but also lead to scarrin...

How To: Perform an interrupted and a subcuticular suture

If you want to perform an interrupted and a subcuticular suture you should first make a bite through the skin. In order to make a bite through the skin you should put the needle point perpendicular to the surface, turn your wrist and make sure it arrives at an even point from the entry point. Grasp the needle as it comes from the tissue. Make sure you always keep the needle in view. Then ti e the suture with an instrument tie and form the knot on the side of the wound so it does not effect th...

How To: Treat a mosquito bite

Don't let the fear of those red, itchy mosquito bites keep you from enjoying the outdoors this summer. Even if your mosquito repellant doesn't work and you end up getting bitten there are some easy household items that will alleviate any discomfort.

How To: Push for better CPR

Good Housekeeping Magazine has teamed with the American Heart Association to bring this life-saving video to you. In the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, call 911 and begin chest compressions immediately. Place your hands on the center of the chest and push hard and fast until help arrives. Compressions help deliver oxygenated blood to the brain and heart. This hands only approach to delivering CPR can greatly alleviate fear, and can double or quadruple a victim's chance of survival.

How To: Form a makeshift, provisional first aid kit

First aid is important, and not everyone is prepared or even knows what to do in an emergency situation. You could save the day, or at least mend your paper cut. THe key to first aid is the first aid kit. If your's is not up to date, or if you can't afford a real one, then watch this video to see how to form a makeshift, provisional first aid kit.

How To: Wrap a sprained ankle

Assemble the necessary equipment: a roll of 1- to 2-inch-wide athletic tape and a pair of scissors. Wrap one piece of athletic tape under the heel of the foot and bring both ends up the ankle to either side of the leg. The tape should form a "U," like the stirrup on a horse's saddle.

How To: Heal a sprained ankle

Looking to heal your sprained ankle and not sure what to do? Don't panic. A sprained ankle can be quite painful, as well as prevent you from getting where you need to go. You can heal more quickly with proper care.

How To: Immobilize an ankle

Learn how to immobilize an ankle. The ankle is a complex joint, so when an injury occurs, and you can't get help right away, the first thing to do is keep it from moving – you'll prevent any more damage to the surrounding nerves and tissue.

How To: Stop bleeding

The human body contains nine units of blood—but in matters of a traumatic cut or injury, it's always better to be safe than sorry. If you're unsure whether you're in an emergency situation, get to an emergency room and let them decide.

News: Save a severely mangled limb Army style

Gun shots, dog mauling, compound fractures, partially severed limbs... Sometimes direct pressure isn't enough to cut the blood loss. This U.S. Army field instructional is a fascinating and thorough medic's walkthrough. Learn exactly how to apply a lifesaving tourniquet to an injured limb. No first aid poster can compete with the unmistakable deadpan of a military issue instructional. Only the American Army could deliver such eyewitness first aid advice. Bookmark this. If you're ever stuck bet...

How To: Keep a cut from scarring

Keep it clean, covered, and coated, and say goodbye to that scar from the get-go. You will need running water and mild soap, self adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, petroleum jelly, sunblock, and silicone gel sheets. Warning: See a doctor immediately if your cut is extremely deep, won't stop bleeding, or appears infected.

How To: Help a patient who has gone into code blue in nursing

You've seen code blues called on TV, but how about in real life? If you are becoming a nurse it is important to know what goes on as part of a code blue situation. This nursing how-to video presents a mock code blue presentation with faculty. Follow along and learn what is involved in caring for a patient that has gone into code blue.

How To: Assess and treat a venous wound with a nylon dressing

Studying to be a nurse? Then here is a nursing how-to video that teaches you how to assess and treat a venous wound with a nylon dressing. Every nurse should know the basics of this technique, follow along and see how easy it is to treat venous wounds with nylon dressings. It is important to monitor the progress of your patient's wound throughout their stay. These medical tips are sure to help you pass your nursing exam with flying colors.

How To: Do a sterile dressing change in nursing

Going to be a nurse? Then here is one thing you should know how to do. Follow along with this nursing how-to video to learn how to do a sterile dressing change. Watch, learn and practice changing a sterile dressing during lab practice. Remember to explain procedures to patient and have all packages open before you begin. In this video the nursing student has been asked to break the sterile technique. Can you identify the breaks?

How To: Change the dressing on a stage two wound in nursing

Studying to be a nurse? Then here is a nursing how-to video that teaches you how to change the dressing on a stage II wound. Every nurse should know the basics of this technique, follow along and see how easy it is to use wound care products to change the dressing on a stage II wound. These medical tips are sure to help you pass your nursing exam with flying colors.

How To: Choose and put on sterile gloves for nursing

Studying to be a nurse? Then here is a nursing how-to video that teaches you how to choose and put on sterile gloves. Every nurse should know the basics of this technique, follow along and see how easy it is to read the directions on the packaging for donning sterile gloves. These medical tips are sure to help you pass your nursing exam with flying colors.

How To: Change a gown on a patient with an IV pump in nursing

Studying to be a nurse? Then here is a nursing how-to video that teaches you how to change a gown on patient who as an IV pump. Every nurse should know the basics of this technique, follow along and see how easy it is to to change a gown without disconnecting the IV pump. These medical tips are sure to help you pass your nursing exam with flying colors. Have your RN or instructor help you change an patients gown who has an IV pump. Watch and learn how to do this technique with an IV gown and ...

How To: Splint the wrist and forearm

This first aid how-to video demonstrates how to perform a splinting procedure. Follow along and learn how to splint the wrist and forearm in case of an emergency. A splint can be placed in many different positions and aids in stabilizing injuries. Note that this splinting procedure is intended for medical professionals.

How To: Help someone who is choking

Choking is the mechanical (either by foreign object or compression) obstruction of outside air flowing into the lungs. Learn about choking, including emergency treatments like CPR, in this medical how-to video. Remaining calm and performing one of the procedures below could help someone who is choking.