a. Expose the Wound.

Remove the casualty’s headgear to fully expose the wound.

CAUTION: If you are in a chemical environment and the “all clear” signal has not been given, do not remove the casualty’s mask or hood and do not dress the wound. If the mask or hood has been breached, repair the breach with tape or wet cloth stuffing if possible.

b. Replace Flap.

If the scalp is lacerated, there may be a skin flap. Replace the skin flap in its bed (area from which it was torn) before dressing the wound. Do not attempt to clean the wound or remove debris. Do not attempt to push any brain matter back into the head. If an object is protruding from the wound, do not remove the object. Stabilize the impaled object with bulky dressings when the wound is dressed.

c. Dress the Wound.

Instructions for applying and securing field dressings to specific parts of the head are given in the following paragraphs. The dressing and bandages should not cover the casualty’s eye or ear unless the eye or ear is injured. Reducing the casualty’s vision or hearing could be dangerous in a combat situation.

NOTE: The procedures in paragraphs 5-7, 5-8, and 5-9 describe the use of a field dressing. The same techniques can be used with the emergency trauma dressing.