Even the most prepared outdoorsman can suffer an accident that causes injury on the trail, which is why knowing how to stop external bleeding in the wilderness is an important skill for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. Let’s take a look at the steps you need to take if you become injured and are bleeding profusely.
Step 1: Calm the victim & apply pressure to the wound
The very first thing you need to do to stop external bleeding is calm the victim, and get them to lie or sit down to avoid the risk of fainting. Then apply pressure to the wound with a material that will help quell the blood flow. In a ideal situation, this would mean sterile gauze, but on the trail, this will likely mean clothing or a towel. If possible, the person applying the pressure should first wash their hands or try to sterilize in any way, like with alcohol or sanitizing gel to help the victim avoid possible infection.
If the wound bleeds through the material completely, keep applying new material until you have quelled the flow (do not remove the soaked material). Maintain steady pressure on the wound until the bleeding stops. This also applies if there is a foreign object stuck in the wound. Do not try to remove it; simply pack material around it to stop blood flow and try to keep the object from moving inside the wound.
Step 2: Rinse the would, apply antibiotic cream & bandage
When you are certain the bleeding has stopped, rinse the area with potable water and apply an antibiotic cream. Then apply a clean bandage to the area, wrapped tightly enough to keep from falling off but not so tight that it constricts blood flow. Check for proper circulation by making sure the skin temperature and coloration both below and above the bandage are the same.
The potential for this type of accident is so high that you should never venture into the wilderness without at least a basic first aid kit. Basic meaning sterile bandages of all types, gauze, alcohol wipes, antibiotic cream, pain reliever, latex gloves, and athletic tape. Having potable water to clean dirty wounds can be pivotal in getting the victim in good enough shape to get to professional medical help.
Step 3: Seek help if necessary
If the wound is severe, you will want to focus solely on getting the bleeding stopped, not cleaning or applying bandages. If the victim can’t be moved once the bleeding is stopped, make sure they are lying flat with feet raised around 12 inches above the body, cover with a blanket, jacket, tarp, or anything else that will help retain body heat, and go for help as quickly as possible.
Featured Image from milan degraeve/Unsplash
