STP 21-1-SMCT - PUT ON A FIELD OR PRESSURE DRESSING


081-831-1016



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CONDITIONS


Given a casualty who has a bleeding wound of the arm or leg. The casualty is breathing. The casualty's first aid packet and materials to improvise a pressure dressing and to elevate the extremity are available.


STANDARDS


Take appropriate action to control bleeding of a wound, following the correct sequence. Apply the field dressing over the wound, ensuring that the sides of the dressing are sealed and that the dressing does not slip. Make sure that application of field and pressure dressings does not have a tourniquet-like effect.


TRAINING AND EVALUATION



Evaluation Preparation


Setup:
Use the same field dressing repeatedly. Have materials available for a pressure dressing (wadding and cravat or a strip of cloth). Have one soldier play the part of the casualty and another apply the field and pressure dressing. Use a moulage or mark a place on the casualty's arm or leg to simulate a wound.

Brief Soldier:
Tell the soldier to do, in order, the first aid steps required to put a field dressing and, if necessary, a pressure dressing on the casualty's wound. When testing step 1, you can vary the test by telling the soldier that clothing is stuck to the wound or that a chemical environment exists. After step 2 and step 3, tell the soldier that the bleeding has not stopped. After step 4, tell the soldier that the bleeding has stopped and ask what should have been done if bleeding had continued. Do not evaluate step 6 in the simulated mode.


Evaluation Guide


















Performance Measure
Results


1. Uncover the wound unless clothing is stuck to the wound or a chemical environment exists.

P
F

2. Apply the casualty's field dressing.


    a. Apply the dressing, white side down, directly over the wound.

    b. Wrap the tails so that the dressing is covered and both sides are sealed.

    c. Tie the tails into a nonslip knot over the outer edge of the dressingÄÄnot over the wound.


    WARNING
    FIELD AND PRESSURE DRESSINGS SHOULD NOT HAVE A TOURNIQUET-LIKE EFFECT. THE DRESSING MUST BE LOOSENED IF THE SKIN BEYOND THE INJURY BECOMES COOL, BLUE, OR NUMB.

    d. Check to make sure that the dressing tails are tied firmly enough to prevent slipping without causing a tourniquet-like effect.


P
F

3. Apply manual pressure and elevate the arm or leg to reduce bleeding, if necessary.


    a. Apply firm manual pressure over the dressing for 5 to 10 minutes.

    b. Elevate the injured part above the level of the heart unless a fracture is suspected and has not been splinted.


P
F

4. Apply a pressure dressing if bleeding continues after application of the field dressing, manual pressure, and elevation.


    a. Keep the arm or leg elevated.

    b. Place a wad of padding directly over the wound.

    c. Place an improvised dressing over the wad of padding.

    d. Wrap the improvised dressing tightly around the wound.

    e. Tie a nonslip knot directly over the wound.

    f. Check to make sure that the dressing does not have a tourniquet-like effect.


P
F

5. Perform all necessary steps in the correct sequence.

P
F

6. Perform additional first aid measures, if necessary.


    a. If the bleeding stops, watch the casualty closely for life-threatening conditions and check for other injuries, if necessary. (See the task Evaluate A Casualty, task number 081-831-1000.)

    b. If the bleeding continues, you might have to apply a tourniquet. (See the task Put On A Tourniquet, task number 081-831-1017.)


P
F


REFERENCE



FM 4.25-11First Aid

IS0821 SELF-AID BUDDY AID

IS0831 TREATING WOUNDS AND FRACTURES<