For major incidents, head immediately to the nearest hospital. Uninjured parties can create a beneficial atmosphere of confidence and reassurance by:

• Staying in control of both yourself and the problem
• Acting calmly and logically
• Being gentle but firm, both with your hands and by speaking to the casualty kindly, but purposefully
• Recalling what you can about any plants or animals that may have caused the injury
• In all situations, think safety first

Minor Bleeding

A wound caused by trauma breaking the skin should be cleaned and protected, even if minor.

Action

• First, wash your hands thoroughly
• Rinse the wound under clean running water
• Pat dry with a sterile swab or clean tissue
• Clean the skin around the wound by wiping away from the injury, using a clean swab for each stroke
• Pat dry and cover with a plaster or adhesive dressing

STAY INFORMED

Residents of Saudi Arabia using the National Single Sign-on service can download the Ministry of Health’s Mawid app, which will help you to find and book an appointment at the closest primary healthcare centre. Otherwise, call the healthcare hotline on 937.

 

Severe Bleeding

If a wound caused by trauma breaking the skin causes severe bleeding, take it seriously and get to a doctor.

Action

• Remove any clothing to expose the wounded area
• Apply direct pressure to the wound with your fingers or hand, preferably using something sterile, for at least 10 minutes
• If there is an object protruding, apply pressure on either side of it
• Lay the person down and raise the injured area to decrease blood flow to the wound
• Leave any sterile dressing you may have been pressing on in place and bandage the wound firmly. Make sure that the bandage is not too tight as to impede circulation
• If the bleeding seeps through, bandage another layer firmly over the last
• Immobilise the injured body part once the bleeding has stopped
• Get to a doctor as soon as possible

An Object Protruding from the Wound

Be extremely careful if the object which caused the trauma is still in the wound.

Action

• Small pieces of grit or glass can be either rinsed or picked out of the wound
• Do not remove larger embedded objects; you could easily cause further tissue damage and bleeding
• Control bleeding by applying pressure to either side of the protruding object and by raising the wounded area
• Bandage the wound by either padding or working around the object. This will minimise the risk of infection

Breaks & Fractures

A sudden blow incurred while slipping or falling can break or fracture bones, causing pain and tenderness.

Action

If you suspect a bone is broken in the neck, head or back, don’t move the person unless it’s necessary to avoid further injury.

Arms

• Support the injured arm across the chest
• If necessary, expose and treat any wound
• Make a sling to support the arm
• Take the patient to a hospital in a sitting position

Legs

• Help the casualty to lie down gently and steadily, and support the injured leg
• If necessary, expose and treat any wound
• Gently straighten the leg by pulling in the line of the shin
• Splint the injured leg to the good leg by bandaging at the knees and ankles and either side of the fracture. Insert padding, such as a blanket, in between the legs. Bandage firmly, avoiding any jerky movements
• Never try to realign any bone or push a bone back that is sticking out

Obstruction in the Eye

A foreign body is lodged in the eye, causing blurred vision, discomfort, redness and watering.

Action

• Do not rub the eye
• Separate the lids and examine the eye thoroughly
• If you can see a foreign body, wash it out with clean water
• If this does not work, lift it off the eye using a damp swab or tissue
• Do not touch anything sticking to or embedded in the eyeball. Cover the injured eye with an eye pad, and then bandage both eyes firmly to prevent movement
• Get to a hospital as soon as possible

ARE YOU INSURED?

If you’re a visitor to Saudi Arabia, mandatory health insurance for medical bills up to SAR 100,000 is included in your visa. This will cover traffic accidents, emergency treatment and hospitalisation up to your policy limit.