Alpo Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 In boy scout first aid they taught us about direct pressure on a wound to stop the bleeding. Now I can see how that would help on an arm or a leg, or the upper chest - pushing on muscle. But how about a wound in the lower torso? If someone got shot in the belly, for example, would direct pressure do any good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Duncan Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 I'd think the more blood you can keep from leaking out the better the wounded would be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted January 11, 2021 Author Share Posted January 11, 2021 That's the theory behind direct pressure on muscle. But if you were to stop the blood from leaking out of the belly, seems like it would just fill up all the empty spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus Cassidy #45437 Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 Yes, direct pressure is applied anywhere on the body where a wound has occurred. However, your question specifically mentioned a gun shot wound. Unfortunately a gun shot wound is far more severe than direct pressure alone can solve. There are a lot of other things that need to happen with that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bob Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 I keep a blow out kit in both my vehicles that has quick clot in it . Some argue over its use but if you bleeding to death that’s the immediate problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Bascomb, SASS # 47,494 Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 Before QwikClot came along, we carried cayenne pepper for bleeding control. I know, not pharmaceutical grade, but it worked. My brother once sliced his palm open fully across and DEEP. Gushing. Poured wound full of pepper and bound tightly. Presto! Now QC is available in gauze or sponge form, and the 2nd generation avoids the exothermic distress experienced with 1st gen QC and the pepper. Ain't technology wonderful? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trigger Mike Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 I'd imagine that the lost blood would make it easier to put pressure there, though I lack experience with a lower torso wound. Maybe thats why in westerns they hand you a pistol when gut shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joke 'um Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 According to a couple of John Wayne movies I've seen, you take off your bandana, stuff it in the hole and, go about your business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted January 11, 2021 Author Share Posted January 11, 2021 It's the alkali trail dust on the bandana that stops the bleeding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 Us old farts on anticoagulants don’t have a prayer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South-Eye Ned Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 Theoretically, consume more vitamin K....ahem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 5 minutes ago, South-Eye Ned said: Theoretically, consume more vitamin K....ahem. But that prevents the anticoagulants from saving your life. Tough choices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South-Eye Ned Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 Lots of choices while your lying there bleeding to death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted January 12, 2021 Author Share Posted January 12, 2021 22 minutes ago, J-BAR #18287 said: But that prevents the anticoagulants from saving your life. Tough choices. I thought vitamin K caused the blood to clot. So taking more vitamin K would make it quite sooner. Wouldn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 58 minutes ago, Alpo said: I thought vitamin K caused the blood to clot. So taking more vitamin K would make it quite sooner. Wouldn't it? An injection of Vitamin K is the FDA approved method of reversing the effects of Warfarin/Coumadin. If you Ingested a large dose of vitamin K it would take to long to reach your blood stream to be effective in an emergency. Vitamin K has little to no effect on other anti-coagulants like Pradaxa, Xarelto, Eliquis, and Savaysa . Initally Pradaxa was the only one with an approved drug for reversing its effects. However, all 4 now have an approved reversal drug for use in an emergency.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc McCoy, SASS #8381 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 The direct pressure used on extremities (arms/legs) is pressure against the underlying bone. Lacking bone in the abdomen makes direct pressure there less effective. Yet it's still slightly better than nothing at all. Try to direct that pressure towards the spine for a little more effect. The bleeding will continue internally. QuikClot sponge is very good, avoid the QC that is a loose granule as that has to be cleaned out later in the OR when the patient already has a lot to deal with. I have not seen the granule version is a long time. It's like your leaking garden hose, compress it against the sand and not much happens, compress it against a board and you can stop/reduce it. Or stuff enough sponge in it. If you damages the major blood vessels you need a surgeon now. Sever the artery and there is no effective medical help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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