Improvising a Posterior Nasal Pack with Equipment in a Basic First Aid Kit

Area of Science:

• Wilderness Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Posterior epistaxis presents a significant challenge in remote settings.
• Standard posterior nasal packs are often inaccessible in wilderness environments.
• Effective hemorrhage control is critical for managing severe posterior nosebleeds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of constructing a functional posterior nasal pack using common first aid kit items.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a DIY posterior nasal pack for controlling massive nasal hemorrhage in a wilderness context.

Main Methods:

• A posterior nasal pack was assembled using materials from a standard first aid kit.
• The constructed pack was inserted into an anatomical model for comparison.
• Visual and anatomical compression characteristics were compared to a commercial posterior nasal pack (Rapid Rhino).

Main Results:

• The DIY posterior nasal pack demonstrated similar shape, size, and compression areas (nasopharynx, posterior inferior turbinate) to the commercial Rapid Rhino.
• Placement in the anatomical model indicated comparable compression to the standard commercial pack.
• The constructed pack offers a potential method for short-term hemorrhage control.

Conclusions:

• A posterior nasal pack can be effectively constructed from basic first aid supplies.
• This improvised device may provide temporary control for severe posterior epistaxis in austere environments.
• This technique offers a viable alternative when commercial nasal packing is unavailable.