The primary objectives of wound treatment are hemostasis(control of bleeding) and prevention of infection. It is difficult to imagine a scenario, even in a post-disaster or wilderness setting, where suturing would be necessary or advisable, especially without the relevant special training, experience or clinical judgment. Many times, suturing is done for essentially cosmetic reasons. Done inappropriately, it can make a bad situation far worse. Potential complications include infection, nerve damage, loss of function, more severe scarring, sepsis, emboli, or massive tissue loss, amputation and even death.

But, in some situations, having the necessary supplies and equipment on hand, just in case one happens to come across someone who has the skills but not the gear, might be beneficial.

After copious irrigation, most wound margins can be suitably and temporarily approximated or closed with steri-strips and tincture of benzoin. In the field, a baggie filled with clean water, into which some betadine or a couple of betadine swabs have been added, punctured in one corner with a pin, allows suitable pressure irrigation by squeezing the bag.