Why Does a Wound Become Infected?
Infection is caused by germs that enter the wound from dirty hands, unsterile instruments, or along with dirt particles. Keeping everything sterile on a trip is difficult, but you can minimize the risks. If the wound is serious, stop the bleeding first. If time allows, prepare the wound for treatment:
1. Wash your hands. Use soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Ideally, put on disposable gloves.
2. Irrigate the wound. Use clean, running water. If the water source is questionable, boil it first (for 1 minute at sea level; in the mountains, add 1 minute for every 300 meters of altitude) and let it cool to room temperature.
3. Prepare a dressing. If you don't have a sterile bandage, use a piece of clean fabric (like a triangular bandage). Fold it so that the cleanest surface will be placed against the wound.
Treating Minor Wounds (Cuts and Scrapes)
If the bleeding is light and not life-threatening, follow the "cleanliness is key" rule:
1. Expose the wound and rinse it thoroughly with plenty of water to remove dirt and debris.
2. Important: Do not try to pick out anything that is firmly embedded in the wound. That's a job for a medical professional.
3. Gently pat the skin around the wound (not the wound itself) dry with a clean cloth.
4. Apply a sterile dressing.
How to Stop Severe Bleeding
There are three types of bleeding: capillary (minor, stops on its own), venous (dark blood, flows steadily), and arterial (bright red blood, spurts in time with the heartbeat). Arterial bleeding is the most dangerous; if a major artery is cut, you may only have minutes.
If bleeding is severe, stop the hemorrhage first, and then clean the wound. Follow these steps:
1. Direct Pressure. Expose the wound, place a sterile gauze pad or clean cloth over it, and press down firmly with your hand. If you have nothing at all, use your bare hand. Do not release the pressure for at least 30 minutes to check if it has stopped. This is the single most effective method.
2. Elevate the Limb. If no fracture is suspected, lift the injured arm or leg above the level of the heart. This reduces blood flow to the area.
3. Lay the Person Down. The victim should not move. Place a jacket or blanket under them to prevent heat loss. Elevate their legs higher than their torso to help blood flow to the vital organs (brain and heart).
4. Apply a Pressure Dressing. Without removing the cloth, bandage it firmly in place.
- Important: If the bandage soaks through with blood, do not remove it. Apply another one directly on top.
- If the second bandage also soaks through, you are not applying pressure correctly. Remove both and re-apply the dressing with more direct pressure.
Wilderness Tip: If you have no clean water and the wound is dirty, you can use fresh urine to irrigate it. It may sound extreme, but in a survival situation, it's far better than leaving dirt in the wound, which guarantees infection.
Special Cases
Abdominal Wounds
If internal organs are visible or protruding from the wound:
1. Do not attempt to push them back in!
2. Cover the organs with a clean plastic wrap or bag to prevent them from drying out.
3. Place a gauze pad or clean cloth over the plastic.
4. Lay the person on their back with their knees bent (this relieves tension on the abdominal muscles). Seek immediate medical help.
Internal Bleeding
Symptoms: weakness, paleness, thirst, nausea, rapid pulse. The person might be coughing up blood.
While waiting for rescue:
1. Lay the person on their back on an insulating layer.
2. If they are vomiting, turn their head to the side.
3. Keep them warm by covering them, but do not apply external heat (no hot water bottles or hot rocks) – this can worsen the bleeding.
4. Monitor their pulse and breathing constantly.
Shock: Psychological and Physiological
In the wilderness, you are more likely to encounter physiological (or hypovolemic) shock caused by significant blood loss. The body's systems begin to fail due to lack of oxygen.
Signs of Shock:
• The person becomes pale, with cold, clammy skin.
• The pulse is weak and very fast.
• Breathing is shallow.
• The victim may yawn or sigh constantly.
• Nausea, vomiting, and intense thirst may occur.
What to Do?
Address the cause (stop the bleeding), lay the person down, elevate their legs higher than their head (if no spinal injury is suspected), and cover them with a blanket. Do not give them anything to eat or drink (this can be dangerous if surgery is needed later). Continuously check their breathing and pulse. If their heart stops, begin CPR.
Packing List Tip: Be sure to include a pair of non-latex gloves and a disposable syringe (without a needle) in your first-aid kit. The syringe is perfect for forcefully irrigating a wound with water, and the gloves protect both you and the patient from infection.
Next guide: First Aid for Fractures and Dislocations in a Mountain Hike Previous guide: First Aid for Choking: The Heimlich Maneuver on a Hike You can view the full list here: Survival Guides for the Mountains
