page_title: Field dressing (bandage)
section_title: Development
hierarchical_section_title: Field dressing (bandage) / US Army First-Aid Packet, Carlisle Dressing / Development
caption_attribution_description: English: US-military first aid packet in sheet-metal packet, Era of 2nd World War. Čeština: Americké armádní obvazy v plechovém balení, období druhé světové války. Deutsch: Die US-Amerikanische Militär Verbände in bleche Packung. Aus der Zeit der Zweit Weltkrieg.
context_page_description: A field dressing or battle dressing is a kind of bandage intended to be carried by soldiers for immediate use in case of wounds. It consists of a large pad of absorbent cloth, attached to the middle of a strip of thin fabric used to bind the pad in place. Field dressings are issued in sealed waterproof pouches to keep them clean and dry; the pouch can be torn open when required.
  In combat, each soldier carries one field dressing ready for immediate use. Standard doctrine is that a casualty's dressing should be used rather than the rescuer's - the rescuer may need to help another casualty, or be helped himself, whereas the original casualty is not going to make any other use of his own dressing. Because of this, it is important that soldiers know where to find their comrades' field dressings, and infantry units typically have their own SOP stating where they should be carried. British Army uniforms issued in the past included dedicated field dressing pockets. During the Great War, this pocket was in the front left skirt of the tunic, with the introduction of Battledress, it was moved to the trousers, but the current clothing does not.
context_section_description: This dressing, already developed in 1904, and subsequently introduced in 1906, was supplied to the troops in a sealed brass casing, to protect the bandage inside against gas attacks, and to also ensure that it remained sterile. An improved version was introduced in 1940, designated First-Aid Packet, U.S. Government – Carlisle Model to tackle the problem of front line wounds and casualties. The Carlisle Bandage underwent a number of changes in its development during WW2. In summer of 1940, U.S. Army, Carlisle Model Small First-Aid Dressing made its appearance. It was contained in a waxed rectangular tuck-end carton, printed with the required markings. Considerable difficulty was encountered in the procurement of the first aid packet. During the Army expansion of 1940, approximately eight million were required for initial stock of equipment In the middle of 1941, the Medical Department decided to amend their specifications, and placed purchase orders for containers made out of tin (instead of brass). The new version was introduced by fall of 1941, together with the very first Sulfanilamide Shaker Envelopes. During the early part of 1943, a plastic container (called Tenite) was developed and put into production, but under field conditions the package warped and broke open. In the course of 1943 the items were wrapped in laminated paper, reinforced with aluminum or lead foil, and covered internally with either pliofilm, cellophane, or polyvinyl butyral and placed inside an appropriate waxed cardboard shell. The small Carlisle model first aid dressing measured approximately 4"X2"X1". When opened, its 1/2"-thick pad measured 7"X4" and had two long gauze tietapes. The Large Carlisle model first aid dressing measured approximately 11 3/4"square. Brief instructions were stenciled on the bandage in red ink. Most packaging included the word "Sterile" and the directions "Red color indicates back of dressing -- put other side next to wound." If a dressing was "camouflaged" it was olive drab in color. Detailed explanations and photos concerning the application of dressing to wound were included in a printed manuals for US soldiers.
caption: US-military first aid packet in sheet-metal packet, Era of 2nd World War.
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