Hypertherm Echion - Emergency medical information and treatment

Safety
SC-24 810770 Operator Manual Echion
Safety
Emergency medical information and treatment
High-pressure equipment puts the operator and other personnel at risk of contact with
high-pressure water. Possible injuries include eye damage, lacerations, infections, and amputations.
Waterjet operators should have a waterproof emergency medical tag or card that describes the
recommended treatment for high-pressure water injuries. Show the tag or card to emergency
responders and medical professionals.
This wallet-size card can be copied, laminated, and folded.
WARNING
A waterjet is a cutting tool.
Keep away from high-pressure streams and leaks. Pressurized fluid can cause injuries.
Delayed treatment can cause injuries or death.
WARNING
Do not put ice or heat on a waterjet injury.
If possible, use a support to keep injured body parts above heart level.
MEDICAL
INFORMATION
A high-pressure injection
injury is a surgical
emergency.
Get medical treatment
immediately for all
high-pressure waterjet
injuries.
The person with this card has been exposed to a waterjet
of up to4,140bar(60,000psi) and a velocity
of609m/s(2,000feet/second). Abrasive waterjets can
eject water and abrasive materials that can be injected into
body tissues, leading to a dangerous infection.
 Skin can appear to be not damaged or show a small
pinhole-sized puncture wound.
 The injured area can become swollen, painful, and pale
over the next4to6hours.
 Tissue becomes ischemic and necrotic within12hours.
 Do not use digital or local nerve blocks.
 Give analgesics by mouth or injection.
 Consult a surgical specialist immediately for
decompression, removal of foreign materials, and
debridement.
 Give broad-spectrum, intravenous antibiotics for
Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms.
 X-ray is the preferred imaging method.
 Acute compartment syndrome is possible.
 Leave the wound open.
 Do not use solvents other than isotonic sodium chloride
solution for irrigating the wound.