How to Field Dress a Wound
Hiking, camping and other outdoor activities can be a lot of fun, but you should always be prepared for an accident. By knowing how to field dress a wound, you can be safe and still have fun in the wilderness. You can also apply these same practices at home or in the workplace. Being prepared is the key. Read on to learn how to dress a field wound.
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Things You'll Need
- First aid kit,
- Gauze/towel
- Water/Saline solution/Soap
- Adhesive (bandages, athletic tape)
- Scissors
- Antiseptic Ointment
Instructions
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Stop Bleeding
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1
Use scissors to cut the fabric away if the wound is located under clothing. Dragging dirty clothing over the wounds can potentially cause an infection.
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2
Apply gauze or a towel directly on the wound until it stops bleeding. If the gauze soaks through, simply add more.
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3
Do not remove the gauze until bleeding has stopped. If bleeding does not stop, continue to apply constant pressure and attempt to contact help.
Clean the Wound
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4
Use soap or saline solution with water to clean out the wound. Water on its own can be harsh on the wound, so try to avoid going that route.
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Keep a close eye on the wound. If it begins to bleed again, apply clean, sterile gauze until it stops. This bleeding should be minor, and is a result of the wound being cleaned out.
Dress the Wound
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Apply a small amount of antiseptic ointment directly to the wound. This will help curb the spreading of germs and infection.
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Apply an adhesive bandage if the wound is small. If it is larger, apply a clean piece of gauze, then wrap the appendage in athletic tape.
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Change the dressing at least once every 12 hours, reapplying ointment each time. Clean dressings are important not only for minimal scarring, but also to ensure that the risk of infection is kept low.
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Tips & Warnings
Remain calm at all times. Steady nerves will be helpful to you and will also help to calm the person whose wound you are trying to dress.
Always try to have a first aid kit with you. You can buy good first aid kits by Johnson & Johnson at Amazon. See the Resources section for a link.
Use a tourniquet only in the most desperate circumstances. While they stop bleeding, they can also severely constrict blood flow. Tourniquets have been known to be the cause of amputations, due to being tied too tight and left on for too long in the field.
No matter how good your field dressing is, it is most likely a stopgap solution. Make sure to carry a cellular phone at all times, and get to a hospital as soon as possible.
