Things You'll Need:
- Bandannas
- Evacuation Plan
- Wilderness First Aid Classes
- Antibiotic Creams
- Compression Bandages
- Cotton Swabs
- Elastic Bandage Tapes
- Eyebrow Tweezers
- First Aid Kits
- Gauze
- Gauze Pads
- Gauze Wraps
- Latex Gloves
- Occlusive Dressings (Second Skin)
- Semi-occlusive Dressings (Telfa)
- Thermometers
- Cotton Swabs
- Cooking Pots
- Plastic Bags
- Pots
- Scissors
- Scissors
- Broad-spectrum Antibiotic Prescribed By A Doctor
- Evacuation Insurance
- Waterproof Tape
- Camp-stove Fuels
- Camping Stoves
- Safety Goggles
- Surgical Masks
- Safety Goggles
- Pots
- Plastic bags
- Thermometers
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Step 1
Scrub hands thoroughly with soap and disinfected water.
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Step 2
Put on latex gloves to prevent the spread of infectious disease.
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Step 3
Remove the bandage and dressing from the wound as gently as possible.
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Step 4
Check the wound for signs of infection. See "How to Evaluate a Wound for Infection." If there are any signs of infection, begin treatment immediately with the following steps.
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Step 5
Boil 1 1/2 to 2 liters of water.
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Step 6
Prepare a disinfectant solution of 1 oz. povidone-iodine and 1 liter disinfected water.
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Step 7
Set about 1/2 liter of the disinfectant solution aside for about five minutes. Keep the remaining solution as hot as possible.
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Step 1
Soak the wound in disinfectant solution for about 15 minutes to soften the skin around the opening. Use water as hot as the injured person can tolerate.
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Step 2
Boil a second batch of disinfectant solution while the wound is soaking.
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Step 3
Sterilize a pair of tweezers by rinsing with the 1/2 liter of disinfectant solution you set aside earlier. Sterilize the tweezers just before use.
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Step 4
Pry the edges of the wound open using the sterilized tweezers.
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Step 5
Drain the pus from the wound, wiping the pus away with cotton swabs and sterile gauze.
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Step 6
Probe deeper pockets of the wound to see if pus is concealed there as well - this will be less painful if the wound has been thoroughly soaked. Assume there are other pockets if you find one, and drain all pockets.
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Step 7
Soak the drained wound in the fresh batch of disinfectant solution for 20 to 30 minutes.
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Step 8
Dry the wound with sterile gauze.
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Step 9
Spread antibiotic ointment on sterile gauze using cotton swabs.
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Step 10
Place the gauze inside the wound to keep the wound from closing. Do not allow the edges of the wound to reseal while there are signs of infection.
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Step 11
Dress and bandage the wound. See "How to Bandage a Wound During First Aid."
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Step 1
Remove the bandage and soak the wound in disinfectant solution for 20 to 30 minutes, three to four times per day.
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Step 2
Thoroughly dry and bandage the wound after each soaking.
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Step 3
Monitor the injured person for any signs that the infection is spreading: fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes or red streaks radiating from the wound.
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Step 4
Evacuate the injured person from the backcountry immediately if there are any signs of spreading infection. Seek professional medical help immediately.
