Teaching About Pressure Dressings, Tourniquets, QuikClot Bandages, and Israeli Battle Dressings
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Because of my background–as an Army medic and civilian paramedic–I sometimes forget that not everyone understands the basics of first aid. To me it’s very logical: if there’s bleeding – you need to stop it; if they’re not breathing – you need to try and restart it; if they’re pale and dizzy – lay them down and keep them warm, etc. I forget that hurt and/or sick people frequently make others uncomfortable. I forget that blood can be scary and that people don’t know it’ll be slippery, then sticky. I forget that crying out in pain isn’t as easily ignored by others, as you’re calmly and systematically evaluating the source of that pain. And the list continues.

However, I do try to remember to teach first aid skills to my family. Not to make them experts, but so they will know the basics and recognize the major symptoms. Also, since in most collapse situations I’ll be the medic for whatever group I’m with, maybe one of them will learn enough to help me care for others (or themselves, or me…)

I’ve recently made personal trauma FAKs* for Sarah, Ryan, and Brynn (Emily and Alison have less space and a much abbreviated version), and I want them to know how to use the contents when they’re needed (and I’m not around). This week we reviewed pressure dressings and tourniquets (I’ve taught them before), then introduced stopping bleeding with a QuikClot bandage and how to apply an Israeli Battle Dressing.

Pressure dressings were a review (with varied amounts of correct recall). To create an effective pressure dressing, to stop moderate to heavy bleeding, I taught them (using a “wound” drawn on my forearm) to start by folding up a piece of gauze and putting it directly over the wound. Then, while applying direct pressure, use a tightly rolled cravat (aka triangular) bandage to apply more pressure over the initial dressing. To make the actual pressure dressing, take a second cravat and, folding it so it covers the pressure cravat, wrap it around the limb. Wrap it tightly and then tie the ends, in a square knot, on top of the pressure dressing. A pressure dressing done this way will stop all but the worst wounds, i.e. one’s with arterial bleeding (remember arteries are deep blood vessels, coming from the heart, carrying oxygen, under pressure).

For “the worst wounds” I’ve taught them to apply a tourniquet. Again we use cravat bandages, this time two (or three for a leg wound). This is hard to show (maybe I’ll make a YouTube video, if there’s interest – never done that before). Tie it securely around the limb about two inches wide and about two inches above the wound. Make sure it is secured tight enough to stop the artery from flowing (and thus bleeding). Then tie off the tourniquet, placing the knot over the artery. To check that it’s effective, when practicing, see if you’ve stopped the distal pulse.

I recently bought QuikClot bandages at the gun show. I hadn’t used them before, so I read reviews and watched YouTube training videos. Then, using an accordion folded three-inch gauze roll to simulate the (rather expensive) $14 QuikClot, we practiced. I had them feed it directly into the (simulated) wound, right into the bleeding, until the bleeding slows; then use the rest, rolled tightly, right on top of the wound as a pressure dressing and secure it with a cravat. I also had everyone watch the training video.

Lastly they each applied the Israeli Battle Dressing (IBD), aka the Emergency Bandage. I love IBDs, but I feel they are too big for easy day-to-day carry in a small FAK (and a pressure dressing or tourniquet can be made with cravats). But we do keep them in our BOBs and our larger home FAK. I’m not even going to try and describe how to put one on (you need to watch the video). They are a great tool to stop heavy bleeding and I highly recommend them (but again, they’re just another tool).

We’ll continue practicing these skills–medical skills are perishable and easily forgotten–until they can do them competently, in a dark room with their flashlight. Each time I will introduce new ideas and scenarios.

Teach your kids–and spouse–the skills you know; you may not be around when they are necessary. And remember, “To teach is to learn twice.” (- Joseph Joubert)

(Wednesday: Sarah’s View)

*For my list of abbreviations and other information, open the above ‘Check Here…’ page tab.