Perform First Aid for an Open Abdominal Wound

Conditions: You see a casualty who has an open abdominal wound. The casualty is breathing. Necessary equipment and materials: casualty's first aid packet and material for an improvised dressing (clothing or blankets).

Standards: Applied a dressing to the wound following the correct sequence without causing further injury to the casualty. The dressing was secure and protected the wound without putting pressure on the bowel.

Performance Steps

1. Position the casualty by placing the casualty on his back with the knees up (flexed).

2. Uncover the wound unless clothing is stuck to the wound or in a chemical environment.

CAUTION

Uncovering the wound in a chemical environment or removing stuck clothing could cause additonal harm

3. Pick up any organs that are on the ground.

   a. Use a clean, dry dressing or the cleanest material available and gently pick up the organs without touching them with your bare hands.

   b. Place the organs on top of the casualty's abdomen.

4. Apply the casualty's field dressing.

Note. If the field dressing is not large enough to cover the entire wound, the inner surface of the plastic wrapper from the dressing may be used to cover the bowel before the dressing is applied. Other improvised dressings can be made from clothing, blankets, or the cleanest material available.

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

WARNING

Do not apply pressure to the wound or other exposed internal parts

   b. Wrap the tails around the casualty's body completely covering the dressing if possible.

   c. Loosely tie the tails into a nonslip knot at the casualty's side.

   d. Check to make sure the tails are tied firmly enough to prevent slipping without applying pressure to the bowel.

Note. Field dressings can be covered with improvised reinforcement materials (cravats, strips of torn cloth) for additional support and protection. The improvised bandages should be tied on the casualty's side—the one opposite to where the dressing is tied.

Note. Do not cause further injury. Observe the following: Do not touch exposed organs with bare hands. Do not push organs back inside the body. Do not probe, clean, or remove any foreign object from the wound.

Note. Watch the casualty closely for life-threatening conditions, check for other injuries, and seek medical aid.

WARNING

Do not give food or water to the casualty. (Moistening the casualty's lips is allowed.)