Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/642978
and cannot be used optionally, for instance on wounded person burnt by fluids when a burnt surface area is very irregular and covers very hard accessible places (e.g. armpits, groin, hands, neck, perineum, etc.). WATERJEL The semi-fluid hydrogel are basically fabrics soaked with the semi-fluid gels. They comes in strong wrapper but carrying it in the ruck- sack together with the hard objects or an ex- posure to the impacts can damage it and con- sequently cause its pouring out. A form of gel is really semi-fluid and in the situation when a wounded is forced to move on his own foot, the fluid will run down from the place of its ap- plication. When wounded is unconscious and with a burnt face, using the Waterjel dressing, may (certainly, not always) cause an aspira- tion into the airways and chocking. In such an event a constant control and supervision over the sufferer is needed.The semi-fluid gels draw out the heat very well, relieve the pain and are bacteriostatic. In contrast to the solid gels, they "distribute" very pleasantly in the case of the extended burns in the armpits, groins and neck areas. According to my expe- rience, in the case of the burns of children, the semi-fluid gels work better because they not only dissipate the heat (they evaporate very quickly giving a constant cooling effect), but also additionally reach into each recess, giving quite quickly a relief in pain. The evaporating essential oils quickly eliminate an odor of the burnt clothing/skin providing a psychological comfort to the wounded. The Waterjel, as the only agent, is able to ensure extinguishing and at the same time dissipating the heat from the places burnt with white phosphorus. It is enough to remove mechanically its excess (to the extent to which it is possible), simultane- ously placing the dressing with the semi-fluid gel which keeps the gel in the humid environ- ment (prevention against the next self-igni- tion), fulfilling also its substantial role of the dressing for the burns. Summary I have tried to remind briefly issues connected with the burns and present the dressings that can be applied to dress and cool a wound without water. A choice of the agent depends on you – on your tasks, possibilities to carry and financial resources. I certainly recommend to the field shooting ranges to purchase these agents (without an access to the current water) and taking small first aid kits (boo-boo pouches) with the small packets even for the outdoor trips. For the tactical use I recommend to familiarize with an equipment of the individual and team first aid kits, as well as a MEDEVAC backpacks and filling it with appropriate agents while taking into account performed tasks, possible AO, evacuation possibilities and the other potential hazards.