Task

Identify proper procedures for treating a casualty with an open abdominal wound.

Conditions

Given a casualty who has an open abdominal wound. The casualty is breathing. A canteen Of water and the casualty’s first aid packet are available.

Standard

Apply a dressing to the wound following the correct sequence without causing further injury to the casualty. Make sure that the dressing is secure and protests the wound without putting pressure on the bowel. Score a GO on the performance checklist.

Student Equipment

Field dressing (s)

Additional dressing material (Clothing, part of a blanket, or similar materials may be used)

IV solution

Canteen of water

Site Preparation

Use the same field dressing repeatedly. have another solider act as the casualty. Use a moulage or otherwise simulate the abdominal wound. You can have a canteen of water available and have the casualty say they are thirsty.

 

Scenario

Tell the soldier to do, in order , all necessary first aid steps to treat the casualty’s wound. When testing step 2, you can vary the test by telling the soldier that clothing is stuck to the wound or that a chemical environment exists. Do not evaluate step 11 in the simulated mode.

 

 

 

Performance Measures

Results

1. Position the casualty on back with the legs in a knees-up position (flexed).

Go

No-go

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

Go

No-go

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

Go

No-go

4. Use a clean, dry dressing or the cleanest material available.

Go

No-go

5. Place the organs on top of the casualty’s abdomen.

Go

No-go

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

Go

No-go

7. Wrap the tails around the casualty’s body back to the starting point, completely covering the dressing, if possible.

Go

No-go

8. Loosely tie the tails into a non-slip knot at the casualty’s side.

Go

No-go

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

Go

No-go

10. Perform preceding steps in the correct order.

Go

No-go

11. Monitor the casualty for life-threatening conditions and check for other injuries, in necessary.

Go

No-go

12. OVERALL EVALUATION

Go

No-go

Score the student GO if all performance measures are go. Score the student NO GO if any performance measure is no-go. If the student scores a NO GO, show the student what was done wrong and how to do it correctly.