Amputation first aid has two jobs: keep the injured person alive by controlling bleeding, and preserve the severed part so surgeons can try to reattach it. Modern microsurgery can reconnect many fingers, hands and limbs, and the chance of success depends on prompt transport, correct care of the part and early notice to the hospital. The person always comes first, but a few minutes spent properly packaging the part can change the outcome.
Amputation First Aid for the Stump
- Call the emergency number and ask for the hospital to be warned that a patient with an amputation is on the way.
- Protect yourself with gloves or a plastic bag barrier.
- Apply firm direct pressure to the stump using a thick pad or folded towel and bandage firmly. Raise the limb if possible.
- Add padding rather than removing it if blood soaks through.
- Use a tourniquet placed above the wound if life-threatening bleeding continues despite pressure, and note the time. See severe bleeding first aid.
- Lay the person down, reassure them and treat for shock as described in our shock first aid guide.
Older workbooks advise against tourniquets for amputations and describe them as a last resort. Current guidelines support using one early when bleeding is heavy, though many amputations bleed less than expected because the vessels constrict.
Amputation First Aid for the Severed Part
- Wrap the part in clean gauze or a clean cloth, slightly moistened with clean water or saline.
- Place it in a clean plastic bag or container and seal it.
- Place the bag in a second container of ice and water, or on top of crushed ice with a layer of cloth between.
- Label it with the person’s name and the time of injury, and send it with the patient.
The aim is to keep the tissue cool, not frozen.
Amputation First Aid: What Not to Do
- Do not wash it vigorously or soak it in water.
- Do not put it directly on ice or cover it completely in ice, because freezing damages tissue.
- Do not use dry ice.
- Do not delay the person’s transport to find the part. If it cannot be found quickly, go without it and tell the ambulance crew where it may be.
Why Early Notification Helps Amputation First Aid Succeed
Reattachment needs a specialist team, an operating theatre and often a transfer to a different hospital. A call from the ambulance crew or a first aider gives the hospital time to assemble the team before the patient arrives. Time matters: tissue survives longer when kept cool, but delay reduces the chance of success.
After Amputation First Aid Is Complete
Keep checking breathing, pulse and alertness while waiting for the ambulance. Give nothing to eat or drink, in case surgery is needed immediately, and keep the person warm and calm. Wash your hands and any skin exposed to blood with soap and water once the emergency is over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can all amputated parts be reattached?
No. Success depends on the type of injury, the amount of damage and how quickly specialist care is reached, but many clean-cut injuries can be treated.
Is it safe to put ice on the stump?
No. Cool the severed part in a bag, not the stump. Treat the stump with pressure and elevation.
References and Further Reading
- American Heart Association and American Red Cross, Guidelines for First Aid
- NHS, Amputation overview
- St John Ambulance, Bleeding
Last updated: October 2026
Prepared by: EHS Guidelines Editorial Team
This article is general educational information and is not a substitute for accredited first aid training or professional medical care. In an emergency, call your local emergency number immediately. Emergency numbers, medicines and protocols differ between countries, so follow local guidance.
Related Guides
- Severe Bleeding First Aid: Direct Pressure, Dressings and Tourniquets
- Shock First Aid: Recognising Circulatory Shock and Acting Fast
- Embedded Foreign Objects: How to Bandage Around an Impaled Object
- First Aid for Wounds: A Wide-ranging Guide
- Vital Signs Observations: Pulse, Breathing, Conscious State and Skin
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