KIWI VETERAN OWNED AND OPERATED
0800 113 992

#AskPracMed – I can see tissue or bone in my cut — what do I do?

Exposed tissue or bone looks alarming, but the management principle is straightforward. If there is no serious arterial bleeding, pack into the wound cavity with gauze so there is no space beneath the bandage, then wrap firmly around the outside.

Avoid over-tightening, you should be able to fit two fingers under each end of the bandage. Over-tightening, particularly with a long transport time, can cause complications including compartment syndrome.

Get the person to hospital for proper assessment and wound management.

Shop bleeding control supplies and kits 

Bleeding Control Kit

Want to know more than the basics?

We run practical first aid courses nationwide — from Level 1 First Aid through to advanced prehospital care.

View upcoming public course dates
Enquire about private on-site training
Picture of Simon Carkeek

Simon Carkeek

Simon is a former NZDF Recon Operator and Patrol Commander with over a decade of service, including two deployments to Afghanistan, Solomon Islands peacekeeping, and humanitarian and disaster relief operations in Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami. Domestically, he responded to the Christchurch earthquakes and the Scotts Ferry floods. After service, Simon spent nearly five years in private contracting across Asia Pacific and the Middle East — working as a PSD Team Medic, Site Security Manager, and setting up medical clinics in austere environments where the nearest hospital was a long way away. He's a former action guy and a self-described meatball medic. He founded PracMed NZ because most first aid training wasn't preparing people for real emergencies. It still isn't, everywhere else.