Task

Apply a dressing to a casualty with an open head wound.

Conditions

Given a casualty who has an open head wound. The casualty is breathing. The wound does not appear to be severe, the casualty is conscious, and no other wounds appear to be present. 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 casualty is properly positioned and that the dressing is secure without applying unnecessary pressure.

Site Preparation

Use the same field dressing repeatedly. Have another soldier act as the casualty. Use a moulage or otherwise simulate a wound to the forehead, back of the head, side of the head, cheek, or top of the head. Brief the casualty on how to answer the soldier’s questions during step 1. You can have a canteen of water available and have the casualty say that they are thirsty to see if the soldier knows what to do.

Student Equipment

Field Dressing (s)

Canteen of water

Scenario

Tell the soldier to do, in order, all necessary first aid steps to treat the casualty’s wound. Tell the soldier that a chemical environment does not exist. After the soldier completes step 4, ask them how often the casualty’s level of consciousness should be checked and what should be done if the casualty falls asleep. Score step 13 based upon the soldier’s responses. do not evaluate step 15 in the simulated mode.

 

 

Performance Measures

Results

1. Checks casualty's level of consciousness.

Go

No-go

2. Positions casualty (sitting position if willing, on back with head raised if casualty cannot sit up).

Go

No-go

3. Exposes wound.

Go

No-go

4. Opens field dressing and places white side of field dressing over the wound.

Go

No-go

5. Keeps dressing from moving while securing (holds dressing in place or has casualty to hold dressing).

Go

No-go

6. Secures dressing with bandages.

Go

No-go

7. Forehead: Takes tails around head horizontally, covers edges of dressing with tails, and tie tails n a non-slip knot on the side of the head.

Go

No-go

8. Cheek: Takes tails around head vertically, crosses tails above ear on injured side, and ties tails in a non-slip knot above and in front of the ear on the uninjured side of the head.

Go

No-go

9. Top: Takes tails around head vertically in front of ears, crosses tails above and in front of one ear, and ties tails in a non-slip knot on the other side of the head.

Go

No-go

10. Bandages are tight enough to hold dressing in place without interfering with blood circulation or breathing (any bandage under chin remains wide and close to front of chin).

Go

No-go

11. Eyes and ears are not covered unnecessarily.

Go

No-go

12. Any excess tails are tucked in the bandage.

Go

No-go

13. Monitor the casualty.

Go

No-go

14. Question: What would you do if the casualty looses consciousness and you cannot evacuate the casualty for a while?

Go

No-go

15. Watch the casualty closely for life-threatening conditions and check for other injuries, if necessary.

Go

No-go

16. 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.