An amputation is the complete or partial loss of a body part. In first aid, the word often describes a traumatic injury in which a finger, toe, hand, foot or other part has been cut or torn off. An amputation can cause severe bleeding and shock, and the person needs urgent medical care even if the wound appears small or bleeding slows.
Complete and partial amputation
A complete amputation means the part is fully separated. In a partial amputation, some tissue remains attached. Do not pull, twist or cut an attached part. Keep it as still as possible and protect it with a clean dressing. The injury may also damage nearby bone, nerves, blood vessels or skin.
An amputation is different from a wound such as a laceration or impalement, although these can happen in the same incident. See also life-threatening bleeding and shock.
What to do first
Make sure it is safe to approach. Call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance immediately. If another person is present, ask them to call while you help. Use gloves or another barrier if available, but do not delay urgent bleeding control to find equipment.
- Lay the person down if possible and keep them still and warm. Reassure them and monitor their response and breathing.
- Apply firm, direct pressure on or around the bleeding point with a sterile dressing or clean cloth. If bleeding is life-threatening, controlling it takes priority while help is arranged. ANZCOR suggests a tourniquet for life-threatening limb bleeding not controlled by direct pressure when one is available; effective use depends on appropriate training.
- If a part is still attached, support it in the position found. Do not attempt to realign or remove it. Apply pressure on or around the bleeding wound; if an object is embedded, do not remove it and press around it.
- Follow instructions from the Triple Zero call-taker and ambulance crew.
If a part is completely separated
Do not wash, scrub, soak or place the part directly on ice. Wrap it in sterile gauze dampened with sterile saline and put it in an airtight, sealed plastic bag. Place the bag on top of ice; do not let ice or water enter the bag. Take the bag to hospital with the person. Do not let finding or preparing the part delay emergency care.
These steps are intended to protect the tissue during urgent transport; they do not guarantee that the part can be reattached. Do not delay the ambulance or leave the injured person alone to retrieve or prepare the part.
When urgent help is essential
Every traumatic amputation needs urgent hospital assessment. Call 000 if there is heavy bleeding, severe pain, faintness, pale or clammy skin, confusion, breathing difficulty or reduced responsiveness. A significant injury can also occur without dramatic external bleeding. Keep watching for deterioration and report any changes to the call-taker.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not place the part directly on ice or put ice or water inside its sealed bag.
- Do not use a tourniquet unless the bleeding is life-threatening and you know how to apply the device.
- Do not remove a partly attached body part or pull at tissue.
- Do not clean a severe wound with antiseptic or try to close it with adhesive strips.
Sources reviewed
- ANZCOR Guideline 9.1.1: First aid for management of bleeding
- Healthdirect Australia: Dog, cat, bat and human bites
- Healthdirect Australia: Calling Triple Zero (000)
This glossary entry is general education, not individual medical advice or a replacement for accredited first aid training. In an Australian emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
