How to Make a Wound Dressing

Knowing how to make a wound dressing could save someone's life. There are a few basics to keep in mind. Learn these, and you will know how to make a wound dressing suitable for most wounds. You never know when you might face a situation when knowing how to make a wound dressing will help you to stabilize a wounded person, perhaps even saving his life.

Things You'll Need

• Benzalkonium chloride towelettes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Non-stick pads
• Gauze pads
• Rolled gauze

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Instructions

How to Make a Wound Dressing

• 1

  Clean the wound with benzalkonium chloride towelettes. If you don't have benzalkonium chloride towelettes, use the cleanest cloth available. In either case, gently scrub dirt and debris from the wound.

• 2

  Apply antibiotic ointment. This will help prevent the wound from becoming infected and will keep the dressing from sticking to the wound.

• 3

  Apply a non-stick pad over the wound. The pad should be centered over the wound when possible. Use a pad large enough to cover the wound if the pad slips a little. If you do not have sterile non-stick pads, use the most sterile cloth available.

• 4

  Apply gauze pads on top of the non stick pads. If gauze is unavailable, use the most sterile cloth available. Depending on the wound's severity, you may need to use several layers of gauze. Dress the wound until blood does not seep through when light pressure is applied.

• 5

  Make the wound dressing secure by applying rolled gauze. Wrap the gauze around the dressing, beginning 2 inches above the wound dressing and finishing 2 inches below the wound dressing. The wrap should be snug, but not tight. If rolled gauze is not available, you may use the most sterile cloth available to secure the dressing. In this case, cut the cloth in strips. After wrapping the dressing, tie the ends of the cloth strips so that they are snug, but loose enough to fit two fingers between the wrapping and the wound. The knot should be opposite the wound, if possible.