b. Secure the Dressing. Secure the dressing using the attached bandages.
The bandages must be tight enough to ensure the dressing will not slip, but not tight
enough to interfere with the casualty's breathing. If the casualty is able, have him hold
the dressing in place while you secure it. If he cannot help, hold the dressing in place
while securing it (figure 3-5 A).
Figure 3-5. Applying a field dressing to an open chest wound.
(1) Grasp one tail, slide it under the casualty, bring it up the other side of
the casualty, and bring it back over the dressing.
(2) Wrap the other tail around the casualty in the opposite direction
(figure 3-5 B) and bring it back over the dressing.
(3) Tell the casualty to exhale and hold his breath. If the casualty is
unconscious or cannot hold his breath, tie the knot after his chest falls and before the
chest rises again.
(4) Tighten the tails and tie them with a non-slip knot over the center of the
dressing (figure 3-5 C). Tying the knot over the middle of the dressing directly over the
wound will provide additional pressure to the wound and will help to ensure a good
seal against the influx of air.
MD0554
3-9