ACTAR in First Aid: A Step-by-Step Guide for Wound Care

ACTAR is a first-aid mnemonic for systematic wound management:

Letter	Step	Action Details
A	Assess	Scene safety → mechanism → wound: size, depth, location, bleeding, contamination, neurovascular status distal to wound.
C	Control Bleeding	Direct pressure (sterile gauze/gloved hand) → hold 5–10 min. If soaks through, add more gauze (do not remove). Tourniquet for life-threatening limb hemorrhage (commercial preferred).
T	Treat Contamination	Irrigate with clean running water or saline. Mild soap around wound (not in). Remove visible debris. Do NOT use hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, iodine in wound (cytotoxic).
A	Apply Dressing	Sterile non-adherent pad (Telfa, Adaptic) → absorbent gauze → roller gauze/elastic wrap. Secure; not too tight (check capillary refill).
R	Reassess & Refer	Monitor for infection (spreading redness, warmth, pus, fever), neurovascular compromise. Tetanus status (booster if >5 yr dirty / >10 yr clean). Refer if: deep, >1 cm, gaping, over joint, bite, dirty, foreign body, diabetic/immunocompromised.

Key Reminders:

• Wear gloves / PPE.
• Do not remove impaled objects.
• Document: time, mechanism, interventions, neurovascular checks.