What mechanical action is emphasized for initial coral wound cleanup using soap and water?
Vigorously scrubbing the cut
Due to the severe risk of infection from lodged foreign material, the immediate first aid protocol focuses on aggressive mechanical removal of debris. The standard procedure mandates vigorously scrubbing the cut area using soap and clean water. To aid in this debridement, one specific recommendation involves using a clean toothbrush to physically scrub the wound, which helps dislodge small particles embedded in the skin. Following this abrasive cleaning, the area must be flushed with copious amounts of fresh water to remove the dislodged coral dust and other foreign agents. This aggressive approach aims to clear the site thoroughly before further treatment.

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