Wound packing is a technique of internal direct pressure that places gauze material directly on the lacerated blood vessels in an attempt to control bleeding. Wound packing is indicated for penetrating wounds where bleeding cannot be controlled using direct pressure alone. It is an ideal technique for injuries to junctional areas of the body, including the groin and axilla, where tourniquets are ineffective and direct pressure can be difficult to maintain.

Do not pack wounds on the neck, chest, or abdomen. There is a risk of airway compromise when packing neck wounds. Wound packing is unlikely to be effective on the chest or in the abdomen due to the nature of these injuries.

Apply direct pressure to the wound. If the wound is large, use the entire palm of your hand and use all of your body weight to apply a lot of pressure. Maintain the pressure until help arrives. If the pressure doesn’t work, you will need to pack the wound.

Procedure

Ensure appropriate protective equipment is used, including eye protection or face shields.

Obtain and open multiple packages of gauze. Sponges may be used if roll gauze is not available.

Insert fingers into the wound to provide direct pressure on the target blood vessels; ideally, the artery or vein (or both) should be compressed against a bone while packing material is being readied.

Pack the wound tightly with gauze. Continue applying pressure during the packing process, alternating fingers if necessary. Ensure the packing material reaches as deeply into the wound cavity as possible.

When the wound cannot accommodate any more packing material, apply very firm direct pressure to the wound and packing material for at least three minutes to allow the clotting process to begin. If bleeding continues, consider packing more material into the wound.

Secure the wound packing with a pressure dressing and convey immediately (if not already en route). Immobilization of the injury may help to limit the recurrence of bleeding.

To pack a wound, you can use hemostatic gauze, regular gauze. Pack the material inside the wound until you can’t pack it anymore. You want to get to the source of the bleeding. The wound could be deep, so don’t be afraid. Once the wound is completely packed, apply pressure to help stop the bleeding.

Trauma first aid kits are designed for life-saving treatment of serious bleeding and can be used to treat serious injuries from home or your workplace before further medical assistance. These trauma first aid kits include specialist items like haemostatic dressings and tourniquets. They are much more effective at controlling catastrophic bleeding than the standard wound dressings found in most first aid kits.