Wound Bandaging?

[Barney]

When you have a bleeding wound, what do you use to secure a sterile dressing pad over it? Some use medical tape, some bandage, some whatever cloth they can find.

 

[Grandpa]

All of the above, whichever I have at hand. Since I do carry a roll of athletic tape backpacking, that would be first choice in that scenario. But anything to hold the sterile compress is better than nothing.

 

[Lamebeaver]

I panic, run around in circles and scream like a little girl.

Actually, direct pressure, priobably a piece of torn clothing (depending on the size and location of the injury) wrape it with elastic tape and seek help ASAP.

 

[hikeorbike]

It is also important to flush the wound with fresh, filtered water and avoid activity that could make the dressing come loose. And don't panic!

 

[Sagebrusher]

It is also important to flush the wound with fresh, filtered water and avoid activity that could make the dressing come loose. And don't panic!

 

[Judy Ann]

First off, don't fall or get cut! :tinysmile_hmm_t: If you are accident prone, don't go solo...that would be me and backpacking.:tinysmile_cry_t3: I carry a SPOT to counteract the jinx that is on me. Leave yourself more than one exit option always.

What they said plus elevate the wound and always wear a belt or have a bandana in case you need to apply a tourniquet. They make very tiny first-aid books to carry with you when out and about by yourself just in case. Many health professionals carry them when solo backpacking in case they aren't thinking clearly.

Sarge's posts about tampons for wounds prompted me to put a maxipad in my kit in case of a bleeder since it takes up less space than a bunch of 4x4s and is very absorbant.

It is great that you are preparing for emergencies, but any additional item that doesn't serve many uses adds additional weight. Duct tape is a favorite with most folks for a multi-use item from what I've read.

 

[CozInCowtown]

Generally just wrap it in duct tape.

 

[Barney]

Some people even use glue for deeper cuts to join skin together. What I've seen over the years is that people don't pay enough attention to first aid kits as much they do on other "more interesting" gear.

 

[Theosus]

For smaller but deep cuts when I was younger, I used to use a napkin and some electrical tape for about an hour. Wrap it tight enough to hold well, but not so tight the thumb or toe turns purple. In an hour, unwrap and and put a more traditional bandage on it. In my case, since the cuts were typically accidents involving sharp knives, glass, razor blades, the wound pretty much closed up with some minor oozing.
Ive got a couple of butterfly bandages and a roll of athletic tape in my pack kit, Im hoping it would do the same thing.

 

[mccallum]

Some people even use glue for deeper cuts to join skin together. What I've seen over the years is that people don't pay enough attention to first aid kits as much they do on other "more interesting" gear.

Be careful esp with Superglue, which was first developed as a method ofwound closure but about 75% of the population was alergic! A tight wrap, as Thoesus said not so tight as to cut off blood flow, leave it and keep covering tilll bleeding stops. Then rebandage and slowly rescue yourself; or get assistance to rescue you.

 

[rayne]

Wish I hadn't done it to start with. I like Lamebeaver's answer. Sounds like my kind of guy. Usually, I make sure the wound is clean and bandage it with whatever is available and clean. Duct tape holds the bandages in place nicely.

 

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


I couldn't imagine using Superglue under any circumstances for wound closure...even it it was listed "For Medical Use".

 

[ponderosa]

Hi...


I couldn't imagine using Superglue under any circumstances for wound closure...even it it was listed "For Medical Use".

To me, glue is a lot more appealing than trying to do my own sutures...or letting my hiking buddy try to sew me up. I carry some steri-strip wound closure bandages, but if that wasn't adequate, I think I'd go for the glue.

 

[Gondor]

You would be amazed how versatile your thinking becomes in a pinch. I bet I would do a great suturing job if I had to.

 

[Pathfinder1]

ponderosa;

To me, glue is a lot more appealing than trying to do my own sutures...or letting my hiking buddy try to sew me up. I carry some steri-strip wound closure bandages, but if that wasn't adequate, I think I'd go for the glue.




Hi...


I hope I never have to put in my own sutures either...!! :tinysmile_grin_t:

 

[Theosus]

I have a small needle and some dental floss for fixing my equipment if needed. Dental floss is some pretty strong stuff, and you can even use it for getting stuff out your teeth. If I fell down some rocks and filleted my leg open I might consider stitching it closed. that would have to be a last resort... After duct tape and compression and super glue failed. I have two tiny tubes of single use glue in my first aid kit. I could fix equipment, or me.
I can't imagine trying to sew up my own leg, but I bet if the cut was bad enough to even consider sewing up, the pain of putting in a stitch or two would probably not be worse than the gaping hole already in your body. I think I'd use the "baseball stitch". Cool looking set of scars later.

 

[SARSpecialist]

Here is a link to a actual closure of a wound with super glue..

 

[SARSpecialist]

Did not get attached the fist time... I have not made enogh post I guess.. sorry..

spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?43019-superglue-wound-closure-tutorial

 

[SARSpecialist]

I was a medic in the Army for 21 years and we used super glue allot in place of sutures especialy in Combat areas where the injury did not require evac and sutures were too risky due to lack of oral antibiotics; here are another couple options.

For a safer wound-healing glue consider Dermabond. This anti-bacterial form of the substance 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for skin wound closure.

You can also use a semipermeable dressing (Tegaderm, Bioclusive or Second Skin, or New Skin for instance) to cover the wound and attach the dressing to dry healthy skin with adhesive tape. The dressing should be changed every few days. Keep the wound moist until it has healed. A moist environment promotes healing, improves tissue formation and protects the area from infection.

 

[Pathfinder1]

SARSpecialist;
I was a medic in the Army for 21 years and we used super glue allot in place of sutures especialy in Combat areas where the injury did not require evac and sutures were too risky due to lack of oral antibiotics; here are another couple options.

For a safer wound-healing glue consider Dermabond. This anti-bacterial form of the substance 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for skin wound closure.

You can also use a semipermeable dressing (Tegaderm, Bioclusive or Second Skin, or New Skin for instance) to cover the wound and attach the dressing to dry healthy skin with adhesive tape. The dressing should be changed every few days. Keep the wound moist until it has healed. A moist environment promotes healing, improves tissue formation and protects the area from infection.



Hi...


Was curious...how do the MDs reopen the Superglued wound after the fact?