Common Wound Packing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Wound packing is one of the most critical skills in hemorrhage control, but it's also one of the most misunderstood. In training environments, instructors often find that students know the steps , yet still make serious mistakes when pressure, time limits, or complex wound shapes are introduced. These errors are rarely about intelligence or effort. They usually come from insufficient hands-on practice and a lack of realistic simulation. Below are the most common wound packing mistakes seen in training and how structured practice can help prevent them. Mistake #1: Packing Only the Surface, Not the Wound Cavity One of the most frequent errors is stopping at the visible opening of the wound. Students may place gauze on top of the wound instead of packing deeply into the cavity where the bleeding source actually is. Why it happens: Fear of "going too deep" Lack of tactile feedback during early learning No experience with deep or irregular wound cavities H...