Survival first aid: What you need to suture a wound when SHTF

A survival stockpile will not be complete without first-aid items like surgical needles and sutures. When SHTF, you will need these materials to close deep or gaping wounds so you can prevent yourself or a family member from bleeding out.

First-aid essentials for stitching a wound

Here are the first-aid items you’ll need to properly stitch a wound: (h/t to PrepSchoolDaily.Blogspot.com)

Needle

Examples of commonly used surgical needles include a tapered needle and a cutting needle. A tapered needle has a round body with a sharp pointed tip. It is generally used to suture tissues that are easy to penetrate. Meanwhile, a cutting needle is usually used for tough tissues, such as ligaments and the skin. You’ll most likely need a cutting needle because skin injuries are more common when SHTF.

There are various types of cutting needles, but many surgeons prefer a reverse cutting needle. This is because the needle is less likely to tear the skin.

Suture material

Suture material can be classified as either absorbable or non-absorbable. Absorbable sutures don’t need to be removed because they are broken down by your body. Meanwhile, non-absorbable sutures have to be removed at a later date or left permanently.

Suture material is also classified according to the material’s structure. Monofilament sutures are made of a single thread that allows easy passage through tissues. They are less irritating to the skin and less likely to cause infection. On the other hand, braided sutures are made of several small threads braided together. They are stronger and more flexible but are more likely to harbor microbes. (Related: Treating wounds: How to recognize and prevent wound infection.)

Here are some types of suture materials:

1. Nylon – This is the most common non-absorbable, monofilament suture. It is less expensive than other sutures.
2. Polyester – This is a non-absorbable, braided material. It is easier to use and holds knots better than nylon.
3. Polypropylene – This is another type of non-absorbable monofilament suture. It is easier to use than nylon and is less likely to cause inflammation than other sutures.
4. Silk – This is a non-absorbable, braided suture and is probably the easiest to work with.
5. Polyglactin – This is an absorbable, braided suture and is suitable for general use.
6. Polydioxanone – This is one of the most common absorbable, monofilament sutures. It retains its strength longer than polyglactin.
7. Chromic gut – This is an absorbable, monofilament suture and commonly causes inflammation.

You should also carefully select the suture and needle size, on top of the suture material. Read the packaging label to check the size and shape of the needle. The more zeros you see, the smaller the diameter of the needle and suture material. For example, a “3-0” means three zeros and is therefore larger than “6-0,” which refers to six zeros.

The strength and size of the suture should never be greater than the tensile strength of the tissue. Between the suture and the tissue, the first one to give should be the former. Otherwise, you’ll cause more trauma to the injured tissue.

Take note that suturing requires the expertise of a health professional. That said, you should consult a licensed medical provider and learn how to deal with major injuries in preparation for any type of disaster.

Sources include:

PrepSchoolDaily.Blogspot.com

WCVM.USask.ca

Healthline.com