First Aid & Emergencies
Accidental Amputation
Call 911
1. Stop the Beeding
- Wash your hands with soap and water, if possible.
- Have the injured person lie down, if possible. Don’t reposition the person if you suspect a head, neck, back, or leg injury.
- Elevate the injured area.
- Apply steady, direct pressure to the wound for 15 minutes. You can do this up to three times. If there’s an object in the wound, apply pressure around it, not directly over it.
- If blood soaks through, apply another covering over the first one. Don’t take the first one off.
- Use a tourniquet or compression bandage only if bleeding is severe and not stopped with direct pressure.
2. Check for and Treat Shock
- With the person still lying flat, raise feet 12 inches.
- Cover with coat or blanket.
- Calm the person as much as possible until medical help arrives.
3. Clean and Protect Wound
- Wrap or cover the injured area with sterile dressing or clean cloth.
4. Save Amputated Part
In some cases, the amputated part can be reattached.
- If possible, rinse with clean water to remove dirt or debris. Do not use soap or scrub.
- Place in a clean, plastic bag.
- Pack the bag in ice. Take it with you to the hospital.
WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by
Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on December 05, 2013
© 2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
First Aid A-Z
- Abdominal Pain
- Abdominal Pain in Children
- Acetaminophen Poisoning
- Alcohol Intoxication
- Allergic Reaction
- Altitude/Mountain Sickness
- Amputation (Accidental)
- Animal Bites
- Ankle Fracture
- Ankle Sprain
- Anthrax
- Aspirin Poisoning
- Asthma Attack
- Asthma Attack in Children
- Asthma Attack in Pregnancy
- Battery Ingestion
- Bends/Decompression Syndrome
- Black Eye
- Black Widow Spider Bite
- Bleeding
- Bleeding During Pregnancy
- Bleeding Under Nails
- Blisters
- Blood in Stool
- Blood in the Urine
- Blue Lips (Cyanosis)
- Breathing Problems
- Broken Arm
- Broken Arm in Children
- Broken Collarbone
- Broken Elbow
- Broken Finger
- Broken Finger in Children
- Broken Foot
- Broken Hand
- Broken Hip
- Broken Jaw
- Broken Leg
- Broken Nose
- Broken or Knocked-out Teeth
- Broken Shoulder Blade
- Broken Toe
- Brown Recluse Spider Bite
- Bruises
- Bruises in Children
- Burns
- Burns/Scalds in Children
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Catfish Sting
- Chemical Burns
- Chemical Eye Burn
- Chest Injury
- Chest Pain
- Chest Pain (Angina)
- Choking
- Choking in Children
- Colds in Children
- Concussion
- Congestion in Children
- Constipation
- Convulsions in Children
- Coughs
- CPR for Adults
- CPR for Children
- Crabs (Pubic Lice)
- Cradle Cap
- Crying/Colic
- Cuts and Bleeding
- Cuts and Bleeding in Children
- Cyanide Poisoning
- Dehydration
- Dehydration in Children
- Diaper Rash
- Diarrhea
- Diarrhea in Children
- Diving Ear Pain
- Dizziness
- Drowning
- Drowning in Children
- Drug Allergy
- Drug Overdose
- Ear Foreign Body
- Ear Infections
- Eczema
- Elbow Dislocation
- Electric Shock
- Exercise-Induced Asthma
- Eye Bleeding (Hyphema)
- Eye Burns/Corneal Burns
- Eye Injuries
- Eye Injuries in Children
- Eye Sores/Corneal Ulcers
- Eyelid Inflammation
- Facial Fracture
- Fainting
- Fever in Adults
- Fever in Children
- Finger Dislocation
- Finger Injuries
- Fishhook Injuries
- Food Poisoning
- Foreign Body in the Eye
- Fracture or Dislocation
- Frostbite
- Hand Injury
- Head Injury
- Head Injury in Children
- Headache
- Heart Attack
- Heart Palpatations
- Heat Exhaustion
- Heat Rash
- Heat Stroke
- Hiccups
- Hives
- Hives and Angioedema
- How to Operate an Automated External Defibrillator
- Human Bites
- Hyperventilation
- Hypothermia
- Rabies
- Rape/Sexual Assault
- Rashes
- Rectal Bleeding
- Rectal Foreign Object
- Rectal Pain
- Reflux (GERD) in Children
- Ricin Poisoning
- Ruptured Tendon
- Scratched Eye/Corneal Abrasion
- Seizure
- Seizure in Children
- Severe Allergic Reaction
- Shark Bite
- Shock
- Shock/Electrocution
- Shoulder and Neck Pain
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Shoulder Separation
- Skier's Thumb
- Slipped Disk
- Smoke Inhalation
- Snakebite
- Splinters
- Sprains and Strains
- Stingray Injury
- Stomach Ache/Nausea
- Stroke
- Stroke/TIA
- Sty
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Sunburn
- Swallowed Object
- Swollen Testicles/Orchitis
- Tailbone Injury
- Teething Pain
- Testicle Pain
- Tetanus
- Tick Removal
- Toothache
- Toxic Shock Syndrome
- Traveler's Diarrhea
- Vaginal Bleeding
- Vaginal Foreign Body
- Vertigo
- Vomiting and Nausea
- Vomiting During Pregnancy
- Vomiting/Spitting Up in Children
Today on WebMD
WebMD the app
Get first aid information. Whenever. Wherever... with your iPhone, iPad or Android.
Find Out More