How to improvise an effective wound irrigation device in remote environments

Traumatic wounds are common ailments in remote and wilderness medicine. Poor management of these wounds can result in life-threatening infections. Without hospital-approved cleaning devices, is it possible to adequately clean wounds to prevent infection?

The answer is yes and the key is high pressure with clean water. One study compared the pressure of commercial syringe base systems to a compressed plastic water bottle with a hole poked in it. The plastic water bottle matched the pressure generated by the syringe. A bottle with a sports top reached adequate pressures as well. The bladder style water bottle system did not reach the desired pressures.

Cleaning of wounds is imperative in the austere environment. Why carry extra gear, when one thing can do it all.