Not a survival story

Just a brief message of appreciation to those who provide information here. Some of it may be pretty basic to the regulars, but it helps less knowledgeable ones too. I have spent a lot of time educating myself and want to thank you as it came into use this 4th of July weekend, during an extended family trip to rent a cabin. My 10year old fell on his bike and put a nasty 2in. cut across his knee (right below the knee cap). If we were near a hospital, it would've been stitches. But over the past year of reading/researching here, I've built a pretty good auto FAK (stored in a tackle-box). I was able to use the butterfly bandages and medical tape that I had to close the wound pretty tight. The pieces of hard candy also helped the patient <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. One item I've wanted to add was a SAM splint. I didn't have one, but I used a magazine to help immobilize the knee. I also wished I had some saline solution to help irrigate the wound. And finally, some superglue to help keep the wound tightly closed. I also realized that I need to better understand what/how/when to use what I do have. For instance, I didn't know whether to use the alcohol wipes on such a deep wound (I ended up cleaning around it). No this isn't a "survival" story, but I did find myself reasonably prepared, and desiring to be better prepared next time. Thank you. PS, the knee is healing up very well.

Flag on the play!!!!

A deep cut received in the field not irrigated or sterilized but sealed == infection, swelling and potentially gangrene. Get the kid to a doc soon and see if there is any sign of infection and if the wound has healed over you might want to get a script for antibiotics. This isn't anything to fool with. Generally if there is a deep wound in the field that doesn't seem likely to amount to severe blood loss you shouild leave it open and irrigate regularly with sterile (read "boiled at least") water. If you must close it due to the potential for blood loss or because travel will likely result in further introduction of foreign matter (this usually only applies to foot wounds - any other part of the anatomy can be loosly wrapped to prevent introduction of debris.) then you need to debride the wound (this means scrubbing out any potentially foreign material and possible infected material, and wash with something like betadine, iodine, or alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to sterilize before you attempt to close the wound.

I'm sure that there will be other, better qualified, voices heard from soon. ParamedicPete? BeachDoc? TruxBx?

I hear you loud and clear.
The saline would've made it a lot easier to irrigate, but we did clean it real good, before butterflying it. I've read the pro's/con's on using hydrogen peroxide and chose not too. We kept our eye on it and still are. Thanks for keeping me on track.

New poster here, but I think basic emergency medical training is definitely worth its weight in gold. Not only will you have the tools to use, but you'll know how/when to put everything into action. Also makes you feel nice and self-reliant. :-)

Check out these posts and threads, there are some from others as well:

http://www.equipped.org/ubbthreads/showt...=true#Post16761

http://www.equipped.org/ubbthreads/showt...=true#Post16761

http://www.equipped.org/ubbthreads/showt...=true#Post16811


http://www.equipped.org/ubbthreads/showt...h=true#Post9337

Like minime said, irrigation, irrigation, irrigation. If blood loss is a concern, direct pressure over the wound for 15mins will stop most bleeders. Thereafter you can irrigate the wound with clean water. It doesn't have to be sterile.
Cover with a clean bandage and clean the wound daily. I would hesitate to close the wound in the field as this could lead to infection.
If an unsightly scar is a consideration, would closure could still be attempted a few days later if there is no infection in the wound.(No, not with duct tape or superglue - see your doc! )

<img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />