How to Treat Bleeding Injuries During Outdoor Trips
Outdoor activities challenge nature and test oneself, and it's inevitable to have some bumps and scrapes, with minor cuts and bleeding being quite common. Below, the editors at ExploreLu will summarize some common methods for treating bleeding:
Skin Abrasions — the most frequent type of injury during outdoor activities. Even if the affected area is relatively large, it’s usually just superficial damage and capillary bleeding, generally not causing significant blood loss. The main goal in wound treatment is to prevent infection. In field conditions, you can use boiled water from your water bottle to moisten gauze for cleaning the wound and removing debris. Cover the wound with a clean towel or other soft fabric, then wrap it with a clean cloth, bandage, or other cotton material.
Scalp Bleeding — is more serious because the scalp has abundant blood vessels, leading to heavier bleeding. In field conditions, direct pressure is often used to stop the bleeding, but bandaging the head can be somewhat difficult.
Large wounds, heavy bleeding, or lacerations requiring stitches — often need pressure bandaging to stop the bleeding. Before bandaging, you can use boiled water from your water bottle to moisten clean gauze for cleaning the wound and removing debris. It is strictly forbidden to apply dirt, flour, or other unclean substances to the wound, as they can further contaminate it and complicate subsequent debridement and suturing.
Bleeding or Fluid Discharge from the Mouth, Nose, or Ears — when falls or drops cause head injuries resulting in bleeding or fluid discharge from the mouth, nose, or ears, it may indicate a basal skull fracture. The correct approach is not to stuff the area to stop the bleeding but to let the fluids drain fully by adjusting the injured person’s position. (Note: A basal skull fracture is a very serious cranial injury. On-site responders should also consider the possibility of cervical spine fractures. Changing body position when a cervical spine fracture is present can easily lead to paralysis.)
Using a Tourniquet for Bleeding Injuries During Outdoor Activities:
Supplies Preparation: Common tourniquet materials include rubber bands, medical tourniquets, triangular bandages, elastic cotton materials such as wide cloth strips or towels. Prepare several before each trip. Do not use substitutes like wire, electrical cord, nylon rope, or hemp rope.
Placement Requirements: For upper limb bleeding, the tourniquet should be applied to the upper 1/3 section of the upper arm. Do not place it on the middle section of the upper arm to avoid nerve damage and potential disability within a short time. For lower limb bleeding, the tourniquet should be placed on the upper part of the thigh. Note: Try not to use a tourniquet on the lower leg or forearm, as these areas have two parallel bones and cannot properly compress the deeper artery located between them.
Methods and Timing for Applying a Tourniquet:
Before applying the tourniquet, if there is no fracture, first elevate the injured limb to help venous blood return and reduce bleeding, while strictly adhering to the following requirements:
1. The tourniquet should not directly touch the skin; use a cotton material as a cushion.
2. The tightness of the tourniquet should be appropriate—tight enough that bleeding stops distally, but as loose as possible.
3. Release the tourniquet regularly every 40 to 50 minutes. When releasing, manually apply finger pressure to stop the bleeding for about 2 minutes, then re-tighten the tourniquet.
4. Keep a record of the time the tourniquet was applied and ensure this information is passed on to the next person in charge. The total application time should not exceed 2 to 3 hours.