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]

Originally Posted by 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!

[Judy Ann]

First off, don't fall or get cut! If you are accident prone, don't go solo...that would be me and backpacking. 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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.