first aid query

[diesel10]

Hi Everyone

 

We use alcohol free wipes to clean wounds on children if they have fallen in the garden and grazed themselves.

A member of staff has just been on a first aid course and keeps telling staff not to use them, just use a tissue and water.

I feel that a dirty wound needs to be cleaned properly, especially if they are staying all day.

 

Does anyone else use them? or know that I shouldn't.

 

Many Thanks

 

[garrison]

We did first aid 2 weeks ago and were told sterile wipes are ok but antiseptic ones arent

[Panders]

If you cAnt get to good old soap and water I would use them,

[mrsbat]

For every day grazes etc we just use water, we very rarely use the wipes to be honest unless the graze has got dirt etc in it which doesn't actually happen very often - touch wood!!

[Fredbear]

No wipes for us at our setting. We were advised by our first aid trainer to use plain water with sterile gauze for cleaning open wounds, grazes etc.

[woodlands1997]

No wipes either for us, they are never on the list of first aid box stock so good old water here too!

[sunnyday]

I'm in the 'water only' camp! :1b

[Froglet]

Water and gauze for us too.

 

I am being driven up the wall by advice from our recent first aid course saying that any cut or graze should be covered by a plaster because it's an open wound and therefore at risk of infection. What do children do but peel the plaster back to see what's happening, plaster loses its stick, falls off then they need another one which they peel back, loses it's stick...

[woodlands1997]

Oh I didn't realise that froglet! We only give a plaster if it's having a good bleed! Otherwise they would be needing them all the time and I can see some of our children scratching themselves on purpose so they got one!!!x

[diesel10]

Thanks for all your replies. I think I might ring the training provider tomorrow and ask why not? They are sold as part of a first aid kit.

[finleysmaid]

well im going to buck the trend here! we use wipes all the time ....single use, throw away, individually wrapped...but then i have to stab a child every day for blood so just makes it easier for us!!!! They are in all our first aid kits and go with us everywhere....you can even carry them around in your pocket so accidents can be dealt with on the spot...i'm rather fond of them!

[Guest]

yes, any open wound should be covered even if its stopped bleeding.

Ideally, gently running water should be used to clean and if not sterile gauze with water. No wipes.

[louby loo]

We were told wipes were ok , but only really to use when no other options - ie when 'out and about' rather than within the setting.

[Guest]

We were advised that all wounds should be flushed out with water, either tap or the litre bottle that is now advised to be carried everywhere if you are away from the setting, wipes should not be used....

 

3 days first aid training March 2014...exhausting

[narnia]

and surely if you use tissue to clean wounds, bits of the tissue could stick to it ? we use the wipes in our kit

[lashes2508]

Non alcohol wipes are okay to use , sterile gauze is difficult to purchase as single wraps therefore large majority are wasted as not sterile once opened. Stick with what you do already , just remember to wear gloves ! Large gaping wounds can be flushed with sterile water , it seems every training provider has different ideas adding to us doubting ourselves.

[Fredbear]

Tescos do the sterile wipes separately from the pharmacy section. All bumps without broken skin are treated with a non sterile gauze swab kept in a container and bought in bulk from a local educational supplier.