Fegaril

Hi, everyone!

I have a couple of questions about the treatment of cuts. I've searched the site and found another post that was really helpful and explained that a wound would need to be cleaned with soap and water and be stitched, if deep enough.

Now in the scenario of my story (the genre is post-apocalypse), there are no people around to help with the treatment for miles, and my main character has a limited knowledge of treatment of wounds, but the other character can't die as she has a vital role in the story.

Now, if the character cut her wrists badly and cut a vein in two, what would have to be done? Is there a simple procedure to heal the wound, or would a big operation be necessary?

Thanks in advance.

WriterDude

It depends on how deep the cuts are, but you could rip a piece of clothing into an improvized bandage, tie a knot around the middle and wrap it as hard as you can around the wound. The knot part keeps a constant pressure against the wound, so it will help stop the bleeding. This will keep her alive (assuming the wound and clothing is clean, of course), but she would still need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

If there are no doctors around, maybe have her cut her hands a bit less.

Newnonel

Bah, strap something on the cut and make sure it doesn't bleed too much while looking for someone to help her heal it.
-Newnonel

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Self Proclaimed Instant Noodles Expert or, SPINE.

WriterDude

Strapping something on seems fine, but you won't get pressure on the actual cut. This means the would will just keep on bleeding. A very short term solution is to press your finger on the wound (that's why they ask you to do that after taking some blood work in the hospital, for instance), but if you tie a knot on the cloth first, the knot will apply the pressure for you so you don't have to hold your finger on it. I learned that from the Red Cross.

Newnonel

Heh, see? I don't have much knowledge of wounds, thats what I'll do in a nuclear wasteland.
-Newnonel

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Self Proclaimed Instant Noodles Expert or, SPINE.

SparkyLT

What, die?

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Newnonel

Oh, yeah. Heh, Fegaril, your character better have more first aid knowledge than me.
-Newnonel

__________________
Self Proclaimed Instant Noodles Expert or, SPINE.

Fegaril

Thanks for your answers, everyone

I'm still a bit curious: If a vein is cut, is it enough to just stitch the wound together? I just assumed that the vein would need more medical care, like a bigger operation or something? Or would it heal by itself if the wound was stitched together.

SparkyLT

It would heal back, I think. Your biggest problem would be to stop the blood long enough for it to clot good, so it could start healing.

But I'm no medic, and my biology class bored me to sleep, so I'm not positive.

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Fegaril

Yeah, biology wasn't exactly my most treasured subject. But I blame my horrible teacher, not my own lack of focus, of course

SparkyLT

Heh, I just blame a really boring textbook.

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WriterDude

Yes, a normal wound would heal back. There are just three small problems.

First of all, unless you clean the wound, it could easily get infected. The short version is this would lead to the wound taking a lot longer to heal and you would get sick from blood poisoning. This again means you might have to amputate the arm to get rid of the infection (especially if this is a nuclear wasteland and there isn't a hospital anywhere near you), and in worst case, it can be fatal.

Second, how deep is the cut? The deeper it is, it more it will bleed and the longer it will take to heal. If it's deep enough, it might not close at all. That's why the doctors sew it together and you get those annoying stiches.

Third, if you cut a vein, it won't stop bleeding on it's own. Maybe it will start to heal, maybe not. Either way it won't matter unless you can stop the bleeding somehow, as you will be dead within minutes from blood loss.

Fegaril

Thanks, WriterDude. I think I have an idea about how to deal with the cuts.

WriterDude

No problem.

Newnonel

But remember to write it from your character's viewpoint. Too many times have I seen essays written from the author's knowledge. Not the character's
-Newnonel

__________________
Self Proclaimed Instant Noodles Expert or, SPINE.