Dealing with blood
Dealing with blood
Something that we don't often read about here is the "B word".Even in a successful defense with the blade, I assume that one is quite likely to be dealing with large amounts of blood.Hopefully it will be the bad guy's but could be yours as well.What is the best course of action to take in order to avoid contracting a blood borne disease such as AIDS or others?Keep in mind that you may have open wounds also.
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java
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Lizard:
This is a serious consideration with a lot of potential problems. Blood is always considered a biohazard and traditional universal protection measures – gloves, mask, protective eyewear – are recommended methods of nominal protection against blood borne pathogens. I'm not sure your adversary will allow you to don these while he waits, however. Health care, food service, and other public service workers receive innoculations against the hepatitus B virus and some other BBPs to help lower their susceptability if exposed. In Texas school children are required to be immunized against HBV. You can probably have your HBV titers checked and receive an innoculation for this also.
Cleanup and disposal of blood can be complicated as you do not want to expose anyone to its hazards. There are a variety of medical and commercial preparations for routine cleanup. One of the simplest solutions consists of simple household bleach (sodium hypocholrite) mixed with water. Hospitals, EMS and fire department, LE and industrial safety workers usually have specific protocols that govern the clean up and disposal of blood and other bio-hazards. The stuff is hot and there are a number of laws governing biohazard disposal if these folks get involved in cleanup.
Once you’ve broken the skin your best option is to clean and dress the wound as soon as possible. See your doctor for any serious laceration (or amputation). Tell him/her if you think you may have mingled your blood with another and they will help determine your next course of action. Blood born pathogens can have a variety of incubation periods and not all diseases can be detected immediately.
As an EMT I was always wary when large amounts of blood had been spilled. This little bit is off the top off my head and I hope it helps answer some of your questions. My best recommendation for anyone however, is to avoid confrontation and spilling of blood if at all possible.
Stay safe! Stay sharp! <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Edited by - Java on 5/3/2002 3:32:38 AM
This is a serious consideration with a lot of potential problems. Blood is always considered a biohazard and traditional universal protection measures – gloves, mask, protective eyewear – are recommended methods of nominal protection against blood borne pathogens. I'm not sure your adversary will allow you to don these while he waits, however. Health care, food service, and other public service workers receive innoculations against the hepatitus B virus and some other BBPs to help lower their susceptability if exposed. In Texas school children are required to be immunized against HBV. You can probably have your HBV titers checked and receive an innoculation for this also.
Cleanup and disposal of blood can be complicated as you do not want to expose anyone to its hazards. There are a variety of medical and commercial preparations for routine cleanup. One of the simplest solutions consists of simple household bleach (sodium hypocholrite) mixed with water. Hospitals, EMS and fire department, LE and industrial safety workers usually have specific protocols that govern the clean up and disposal of blood and other bio-hazards. The stuff is hot and there are a number of laws governing biohazard disposal if these folks get involved in cleanup.
Once you’ve broken the skin your best option is to clean and dress the wound as soon as possible. See your doctor for any serious laceration (or amputation). Tell him/her if you think you may have mingled your blood with another and they will help determine your next course of action. Blood born pathogens can have a variety of incubation periods and not all diseases can be detected immediately.
As an EMT I was always wary when large amounts of blood had been spilled. This little bit is off the top off my head and I hope it helps answer some of your questions. My best recommendation for anyone however, is to avoid confrontation and spilling of blood if at all possible.
Stay safe! Stay sharp! <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Edited by - Java on 5/3/2002 3:32:38 AM
If a conflict turns into a knife fight, there's a serious possibility of the two of you becoming blood brothers. Always do the following if someone else's blood has contacted an open wound:
- Clean the wound thoroughly with lots of running water. There's a good chance, especially if you are not the same blood type, that the blood will not mix in with yours, clotting instead and allowing you to wash it all away. Pathogens don't care about blood type, though, so you should do this very quickly.
- Get to a hospital. Call 911 and inform them of the situation. Make sure they know that there is a real risk of disease transmission. If you have open wounds, chances are you're severely bleeding as well, and your case will be considered an emergency just on that.
- If there is a possibility of AIDS, you can get on the triple cocktail of antiviral agents. This will help if done quickly. Also have them do an HIV/Hep A/B/C test on the bad guy. If there's any possibility of disease transmission, no permission from the bad guy is required.
Wise man say, forgiveness is divine. Remember that when your <img src="http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif" border=0> bites you!
- Clean the wound thoroughly with lots of running water. There's a good chance, especially if you are not the same blood type, that the blood will not mix in with yours, clotting instead and allowing you to wash it all away. Pathogens don't care about blood type, though, so you should do this very quickly.
- Get to a hospital. Call 911 and inform them of the situation. Make sure they know that there is a real risk of disease transmission. If you have open wounds, chances are you're severely bleeding as well, and your case will be considered an emergency just on that.
- If there is a possibility of AIDS, you can get on the triple cocktail of antiviral agents. This will help if done quickly. Also have them do an HIV/Hep A/B/C test on the bad guy. If there's any possibility of disease transmission, no permission from the bad guy is required.
Wise man say, forgiveness is divine. Remember that when your <img src="http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif" border=0> bites you!
OK reality check..you face imminent death or severe bodily injury..you fight with steel and get cut..yes..you might get blood borne disease..but you are alive..If you get killed on the spot thats it..OVER..
If you truly get into a fight with stel, you're going to get covered in blood..your own and theirs..
unless you are dressed like for surgery everyday all the time you will not be protected n any way..and gloves that were designed to stop blood are not designed to live through a knife altercation..nor stressful usage..
Maybe the thought of it will turn people into Impact DRONE work rather than steel cutting work for self defense...hmmmmm
grab those DRones..or CRMIPTS
Liko again is correct..
Wash it out..water and peroxide..
seek out medical aid immediately...
I'm not sure if its legal to test the bad guy..( if hes dead its another matter)but get yourself checked..
Did I say go get medical help?
Be smart let the Doctors make the calss about what to do..
Protect yourself @ all times..
Bram
If you truly get into a fight with stel, you're going to get covered in blood..your own and theirs..
unless you are dressed like for surgery everyday all the time you will not be protected n any way..and gloves that were designed to stop blood are not designed to live through a knife altercation..nor stressful usage..
Maybe the thought of it will turn people into Impact DRONE work rather than steel cutting work for self defense...hmmmmm
grab those DRones..or CRMIPTS
Liko again is correct..
Wash it out..water and peroxide..
seek out medical aid immediately...
I'm not sure if its legal to test the bad guy..( if hes dead its another matter)but get yourself checked..
Did I say go get medical help?
Be smart let the Doctors make the calss about what to do..
Protect yourself @ all times..
Bram
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Sword and Shield
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