The simple why not [from 2 of my doctor friends (one of whom is an avid shooter)]. Very thin paper or plastic offers little protection to the actual tampon. Were tampons invented for bullet wounds? - Dixie Sewing https://www.crisis-medicine.com/heavy-flow-is-not-massive-hemorrhage-tampons-dont-belong-in-ifaks/. The x large roll of gauze would be a MUCH more effective wound packing material but he chose the tampon because the gauze would never fit in his helmet and would take up a lot of space anywhere else in his kit. Blood will pool into the temporary cavitation. The expiration date on the package is the date in which the company can no longer guarantee a sterile product. Not all BY THEMSELVES! The message board post was edited into the form it has now taken, e.g., the original contained details not part of the version that has come to be circulated in e-mail, including the name of "Marine X" plus a bit about the soldiers' throwing "Channel 11" footballs at one another after lights out. Press the artery to the bone to stop the bleed. Exploring the Benefits of Probiotics in Greek Yogurt, Who Invented the Pythagoras Theorem? Origins: This story about feminine care products used to save the life of a fallen Marine began landing in the snopes.com inbox in January 2005. One thing you'll likely need to get straight is that the tampon, in history, was rarely a tampon in the way we think today, and not just in material or shape. But they gained rapid usage during World War II, when women became part of the workforce and needed better menstrual care. The nearest hospital? See this article. If you say you do not want me to try and stop your bleeding with a tampon, what would you want someone trying to help you do? Course minimum will be charged at time of booking confirmation. What might not fly as civilian medics is not the same with soldiers in a combat situation. You might get penicillin back in the division hospital, but in the foxholes and ditches it was sulfa powder. . Tampons are not staying the same, as physicians and manufacturers learn more about the female body, and adjust to the many different occupations women hold in society. I have seen posts by at least a hundred people that include them in their kits instead of real bandages because they heard online that it works. I bet some of you must be thinking, I have inflicted, seen, and/or treated numerous gunshot wounds, and there is no way I could have plugged any of them with a tampon! Bear with me here. Simply sticking a tampon into the bullet hole will do little to stop internal bleeding. In an odd way, with tampons being employed as emergency wound dressings in the field in Iraq, these products have come full circle. Materials used in the manufacture of feminine products are especially well suited to wound care. I cant believe nobodys put QuickClot in a cheese whiz can yet! The shelf life of organic tampons is also believed to be about five years, because cotton is susceptible to bacteria and mold. You are better off packing the wound. The exit a gaze. They may follow bone structure, or ricochet. Carry the correct stuff purchased from a medical supply store. No a tampon or a small pad is not the greatest thing for preventing an infection long-term.Im now retired from the medical field. This is like anything people have their own opinions but to say this is not a viable solution and or completely ignore its benefits is a bit ignorant and negalegent . Photo: author, When using a wound packing simulator from QuikClot; it is obvious that a tampon doesnt come close to filling a ballistic wound cavity. I know for a fact a finger in the wound will plug it and possibly save your life. Yes! Example: [Collected via e-mail, January 2005], He told me how wonderful the care packages were and wanted me to tell everyone thank you. The Tampon: A History - The Atlantic She said that God had a plan all along. Your combat medics were retarded or never dealt with a gunshot Regardless of how many times it is refuted, one of the many myths surrounding bleeding control that continues to linger, is using a tampon to treat a gun-shot wound. Could it happen? Some add an occlusive layer, pressure bar, and other bells and whistles. If an active shooter breaks out the windows of a hotel and starts shooting into the crowd and you are laying on the ground bleeding, would you want me to yell out Does anyone have a tampon, or, would you prefer I yell out Does anyone have any QuikClot, Kurlex, or Olaes Bandages. The development of tampons as a medical tool began during the Vietnam War. OUT there? Photo: author, Which of these three products do you want to use to save your life or your loved ones life? Three balls in total will be packed in this manner. Thank you again. Youre not going to have choices. Bear with me here. I have yet to see a gunshot wound inflicted by a modern firearm firing modern ammunition that I could have stuck a tampon in and called it good. Additionally, there could potentially be gunshot wounds that will require anesthesia, open excision, lavage, cautery, ligation, and repair that is beyond the purview of the majority of even medically licensed preppers. Before then homemade tampons made of fabric were already in use. Tampon Wound Dressing | Snopes.com 30 April 2003. Sanitary pads should not hinder the menstrual flow, so some people feel that using them can help their period to end sooner. Experts note that free bleeding has no proven health benefits. If you want to go the extra mile, add a 2-pack of vented chest seals, but I recommend that most folks leave the nasopharyngeal airways, surgical lubricant, and chest darts to the medical professionals. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. >People ought to stop spreading these retarded ass myths. The idea of using tampons to treat gunshot wounds was controversial at first. Tampons are made to soak up blood, after all. Get everything included in Premium plus exclusive Gold Membership benefits. But there are times that a tampon might be helpfulnot with an arterial bleed but maybe the entrance wound or not a hollow-point or assault style weapon wound in the core of the body. He said that one guy, we'll call Marine X did get a girl care package and everyone was giving him a hard time. Tampons are not sterilized when they leave the manufacturer, and there really is not a need for them to be. Your email address will not be published. If you have any further questions, please chat, email, or contact Customer Service at 1-855- . yes they will expand but that is a great thing, espically since, THEY ARE STERILE. Disposable tampons were first invented by the ancient Egyptians. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. There are other methods of packing a wound: all of them are similar in effect. A Look at the History of This Thrilling Ride, Common Carpet Cleaning Mistakes and How To Avoid Them, The Importance of Separating Personal and Business Finances, Developing Your Personality: Identifying Strengths, Setting Goals and Connecting with Inspiration, How to pick out the proper payroll software for your enterprise, Security Tips For Every Web Developer Should Follow, Elevate your e-commerce business by enhancing packaging, Top 15 Decentralized Autonomous Organization Companies, 10 Must-Have Skills for Any Web Developer (Latest Guide 2023), Does Chobani Have Live Cultures? They come on a stick that seems like it should fit into a bullet wound track, so why wouldn't it be effective in a gun shot wound for hemorrhage control. 18th century: The tampon was used as a medical device. Your email address will not be published. "Tampons" for medical use Of course, they weren't called tampons in Ancient Egypt, which was where the first similarly-constructed device was recorded. Earle Haas patented the first modern tampon in 1931, tampons had been used for thousands of years prior to that by women across the globe. most of the cops I knew, at least those that took the job seriously, had go bags with medicial/first aid kits with these things in there. When I was a combat medic, improvisation was not only encouraged, but we also were tested on it several times throughout our training at Ft. Sam Houston. Thanks for the input. The chief difference is that Charleville poked a hole like a pencil (albeit a big, fat one) instead of inflicting a roughly cone-shaped permanent wound cavity and a lemon-shaped temporary wound cavity. 20 Ridiculous Survival Myths That May Honestly Get You Killed - MSN These kinds of articles are all too common on the internet, due to the need to generate clickbait. While some gunshot wounds bleed very little, others will swallow an entire 4 x 12 package of compressed gauze used to pack the wound, secured by a second trauma dressing on the exit wound and then the third trauma dressing on the entry wound. The female urinary diversion device (FUDD) allows you to urinate discreetly while standing up or leaning back. In a SHTF situation like some mention, QC would be a slow painful death. Then of course, they had the tampons. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). Tampons are no substitute for PPT: packing, pressure and tourniquets. Menstrual Tampon | The Embryo Project Encyclopedia But space-age self-regenerating tampons could be on the horizon, The 5 Zodiac Signs Who Thrive In Dance Cardio Workouts, TikTokers Are Revealing The Truth About "Life-Changing" Moldavite Crystals, TikToks Things I Ate & Survived Trend Will Make You LOL, Heres Your Zodiac Signs Dream Honeymoon Location, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. The technology that has developed far superior products now available to healthcare providers and the layperson alike is unprecedented today. That is significantly different from sterile. PSA DON'T USE TAMPONS FOR GUNSHOT WOUNDS. Usually fired a little round musket ball (to reduce powder fouling) of around .65 caliber from a paper cartridge at 1,000 to 1,100 feet per second. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? My son said they had the most fun with Marine X's package. Have you ever stuck a tampon in a gun shot wound. The theory is that tampons soak up blood so they should be good for hemorrhage control. He wasn't picky about what it should be made of, though. Finally, we discussed the role of tampons in treating gunshot wounds during war times and the impact this has had on the medical community. Thus, while the article may have left a few holes in the whys and why nots, it is spot-on in its advice to use the proper product and/or technique to STOP the bleeding. He said when my husband and I sent the last care package Marine X came over to his cot picked up the box, started fishing through it, and said, "What'd we get this time?". He grabbed a bunch of the items out of his care package and got in the Humvee. These tampons back then were made from softened papyrus. This article gives us CERTs great information. This was the whole point of the article. Suggested materials included lint, flax, cotton, fine wool (yikes, itchy) or essentially anything soft and absorbent. You didnt even read the article about how plugging a tampon doesnt even make sense nor helps to stop the bleeding from a gunshot. The tampon will swell, which creates pressure and stops the bleeding. Cellucotton, the substance used in Kotex (sanitary napkins), was devised for the purpose of improving bandages in World War I. I dont as a matter of habit carry a bunch of tampons in my truck for whatever. NOTHING BUT nothing is as good as the ER Department to save a life from a potential Sepsis infection from a knife or bullet wound! If only that were true. IF the wound is linear and tampon sized, then a tampon will work. (That same article announced of those men, "They stick condoms on the muzzles of .50-caliber machine guns to keep out dust, and shoot right through the latex when the time comes to fire."). But remember, just because the entrance hole is small, it does not mean the damage behind it is not significant. Wrapping the entire dressing ensures that the bandage is being used to its fullest potential. In 1931, a physician named Earle Cleveland Haas created Tampax, a tightly rolled cylinder of cotton with an applicator. SO while I had as much available medical supplies on hand as I could possibly pack into the backcountry. tampons": o.b. Tampons for bullet wounds? - PrepHole And it will not stop breasts from growing or cause breast cancer. My son said, "Marine X got some really nice smelling lotion and everyone really likes it, so every time he goes to sleep they steal it from him." The expiration date on the package is the date in which the company can no longer guarantee a sterile product. Tampons are typically associated with feminine hygiene, but they have also been used in more unexpected ways throughout history. It was marketed as an invisible device even with the most perfectly fitted gown. Gertrude Tendrich bought the patent and launched the now-familiar brand. What happens if you leave a tampon in for 3 days? Tampons just make menstrual bleeding less messy. Just a question in regard to female injury vaginal the blood is usually in this example will say do to impact or tearing higher ratio of actual blood Still victims are encouraged to use pads to absorb the blood is it because its an internal injury and would there be a better comparison possible with use of tampons and pads in tactical injury. By becoming a member, you will have access to our experts knowledge in Personal Defense. One historically-relevant innovation is organic tampons. Our verdict Several first aid experts told us not to do this, as it may not work and could risk further harm. Im still haunted by the memories of seeing one Medevac helicopter after another land at the nearest pads for our ambulances to go out and meet the choppers. A Comprehensive Analysis, Exploring the Innovative JBX Theater: Revolutionizing the Entertainment Industry. Yes, tampons can get stuck but don't panic! He made the . The staples used are not so different from the regular office ones (judging by the look). Other techniques must be used, I.e. I think the poster questions was fair. Exactly. I was in an armor/tank unit and in the 68th Medical combat support hospital. They are sanitary but not sterile. I really enjoy your writings, and have learned alot. Unfortunately, while the idea of a lint-covered stick appears to be nonsense, other medical tracts are a bit more explicit in their ideas about what to put up females' intimate bits. Amputation Doctors began sawing off limbs to prevent the spread of infection. Instead they planned to improvise. In either case, the preferred method (aside from ligation or resection) is deep packing with gauze. Medics with years of combat experience say they consider tampons excellent for penetration trauma because not only do they absorb a lot of blood, they are sterile, packaged with easy-to-use applicators, and leave a "tail" protruding from the wound that aids doctors in easily removing them. The modern word "tampon" is likely derived from the Middle French for "plug," as in a stopper for a bottle or (more specifically) the plug put in the front of a gun muzzle. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Is better than nothing at all. Photo: author Bleeding from a Gunshot Wound There were a lot of grunts that carried them, as well a feminine napkins (Which covered larger wounds than the issued combat bandage could.). The use of tampons in treating gunshot wounds has had a positive impact on the medical community, resulting in improved outcomes and decreased mortality rates among injured soldiers. Either they are lying or you are lying Dexter. Because thats a different situation where tampons are useful for me . If you sustained one or several gunshot wounds from a small firearm (not a rifle) and was left to save your life by yourself (since in todays world no one would do that for you), would would you do? This article explored the history of tampons and their unexpected use in treating gunshot wounds. Fun fact: Military bases in the US and abroad often feel like their own mini cities. It was an effective way to stop bleeding and reduce the risk of infection. But even if they have, that doesnt mean they are what you should reach for in an emergency. 18th century: The tampon was used as a medical device. The surgeon at the hospital does not stock tampons because he has almost unlimited space. She believes that female care package was sent to Marine X to save our Marine. Now, a bandage that has a quick clotting agent could experience some degradation in effectiveness the further past the expiration date it goes. Required fields are marked *. 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About American History, 2,200 cases of tampon-related toxic shock syndrome. Its also best to use the lowest absorbency necessary. If youre going to be carrying one or the other as part of your EDC kit, dont plan to improvise plan to win! It is the pressure that stops bleedings, and there are additional mechanical and pharmaceutical tools that aid this. After all the hemostatic gauze is packed, pack regular gauze on top, the asterisk pattern no longer necessary. Denver District Attorney Spews Wild Misinformation During - Facebook It was Nov 2004,in Fallujah Iraq. Dei [], You say You can buy two Olaes bandages for under $15, and two Israeli bandages for under $10. One gunshot wound that I treated presented a small entry wound, some internal injuries (which were unknown to me at the time), swelling, extreme sensitivity to even the slightest touch, no exit wound, and minimal bleeding. 3. A tampon. You state over and over that tampons are a bad idea for a trauma kit, but when it comes to the core of why people choose to carry them, you dont actually address *why* they dont work. There are a lot of discussions currently being had about the green future of tampons: many of them have a big environmental footprint, filling landfills, washing up on beaches, and proving very hard to biodegrade. TIL tampons were originally made to plug bullet wounds. But as Helen King notes, this is likely a misuse of the Greek word motos , which basically means the material they used for dressing wounds. 3. Once inserted correctly, a tampon is held in place by the vagina and expands as it soaks up menstrual blood. In an emergency, even t.p. Let alone the extra 20-50 miles to the nearest hospital? They were initially made of cotton and were designed to be inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual blood. When he brought this up my imagination was just running wild, but I let him continue. You can use tampons on nose bleeds. Your email address will not be published. It was nearly 50 miles away! The dynamics of wound generation are very different from the slow musket ball to modern high power rifles. If I had been there my first reaction to render aid would be grab gloves, duct tape, scissors & thick pads as well as peroxide.