Field expedient amputation and wool blankets.

[Spear Dane]

I know, garish topic but...someone asked me about it. In a last ditch, true blue oh sh*t situation would a medium tooth camp saw (like a Gomboy or the like) be able to do the job?

Separate but happier topic: What's the minimum acceptable % wool content for a blanket that will still get me the water repellent and stay warm while wet qualities?

 

[tetter]

For the first: Yes but please no.
For the wool: I believe the higher the wool content, the more effective for wicking the water away.

 

[fjw2]

I am not a doctor, but having held a few half or partially severed limbs in my hands, I believe it is dependent on the proximity to the adjacent joint and artery, and the cause of the trauma. I believe it may not be the first choice to saw but instead to defer to the nearest joint. Sawing as you described would be certainly possible. The scenario that a decision like that would be likely is one I pray that I never have to encounter.

 

[Spear Dane]

I am not a doctor, but having held a few half or partially severed limbs in my hands, I believe it is dependent on the proximity to the adjacent joint and artery, and the cause of the trauma. I believe it may not be the first choice to saw but instead to defer to the nearest joint. Sawing as you described would be certainly possible. The scenario that a decision like that would be likely is one I pray that I never have to encounter.

Dang, never thought about moving to the next joint up. Actually, never thought about this at all til someone asked me about it. The whole thing brings to mind Civil War field hospital surgery.

 

[CampingJosh]

Separate but happier topic: What's the minimum acceptable % wool content for a blanket that will still get me the water repellent and stay warm while wet qualities?

Depends on what the other material(s) in the blend are.

Nylon or polyester will make it much more durable without a ton of sacrifice, but you lose some warmth and breathability in the process. So a 225 GSM wool blend may only keep you warm more like a 175. Breathability matters less (to me) with a blanket than with some other items. With baselayers, caps, blankets, etc. I always opt for 100% wool. Things that require extra durability (specifically socks), I am good with 60%+ wool and nylon or polyester for the rest.

 

[Magyars]

I won't buy/wear wool sox with less than 85% wool. I would guess that would hold true for the blanket as well

 

[bdybdall]

I attended an mass casualty preparedness class for doctors, nurses, and paramedics. We were given instruction on in the field amputation. It included a video of a BTK amputation on a cadaver. Not something I would ever want to do.

 

[CampingJosh]

I won't buy/wear wool sox with less than 85% wool. I would guess that would hold true for the blanket as well

Yeah, I maybe should have specified further. In winter most of my socks are 100% wool, but I wear at least partially wool socks every day year-round. Thin, summer-weight socks made entirely of wool break down relatively quickly for me.