The most likely cause of a stab wound is a knife but a stab wound can be caused by any sharp-pointed object. Damage from stab wounds is usually deep rather than wide causing not just external damage but, more importantly, internal injuries. Internal injuries caused by a stab wound usually follow the path the weapon took internally. The abdomen is the most common site where plenty of internal organs are found.
Treatment
Potentially deadly, a stab wound requires immediate treatment to alleviate the bleeding and stabilise the victim until he or she can be examined by a medical professional. It is important to act quickly and calmly in order to provide the first aid needed to control the bleeding and save the victim's life.
Here are three simple steps to help someone who has been stabbed:
1. Put pressure on the wound.
2. Call the emergency services 999 / 112
3. Keep pressure on the wound until the emergency services arrive
The pressure applied to the casualty's wound is the key to their survival. Pressure can be achieved by placing one hand on top of the other and pushing onto the wound as hard as possible. Lie the casualty down so you can transfer as much force as possible over the wound.
The first aider may have limited resources to use because knife attacks can often occur at random times on the street. Consider improvising with scarfs, t-shirts and towels by tying them around the wound to build further pressure.
Emergency Services
It's essential to be clear and concise when contacting the emergency services. Ultimately the quicker they arrive the better the casualty’s chances of survival. Consider these three simple steps to ensure this happens:
State your exact location - If you don't know leave your phone on and you can be traced
Tell them a person has been stabbed and the area of the body
State you are applying pressure but will need help as soon as possible
Helpful hint - When not knowing an exact location look for landmarks like shops, pubs or rail / tube stations
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