TissueDB/Simulators/Wound Packing Simulator
The Wound Packing Simulator is a low-cost haemorrhage-control trainer built from locally available materials — wood, PVC pipe, compression springs, a hand pump and latex hose — for practising the direct-pressure component of external bleeding control. A spring-loaded PVC half-pipe surface sits over a water-filled latex hose; pressing firmly on the surface stops the flow, giving the learner immediate feedback that adequate pressure is being applied. CrashSavers VR developed it for prehospital responders in low- and middle-income settings, beginning in Guatemala, adapting their CrashSavers Pressure Simulator. Sources: the Pressure and Packing module and the Step-by-Step Building Manual (PDF).
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Features and Basic Operation | The learner applies firm, direct pressure to the PVC half-pipe surface; a spring mechanism beneath it lets the surface depress and squeeze the internal latex hose. With water pumped through the hose, correct pressure stops the flow — giving immediate, instructor-free feedback. The hand pump recharges the circuit between attempts. |
| Current Development Status | First-pass engineering build; deployed for first-responder training in Guatemala. No formal validation study published for this trainer. |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | US$51 |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | Hand saw; drill with bits (1/8 in / 3 mm, 5/8 in / 16 mm, 5/16 in / 8 mm); Phillips screwdrivers; pliers; 400-grit sandpaper; measuring tape; C-clamp; wrenches; rotary tool (Dremel). The manual marks the saw, drill, screwdrivers and pliers as essential; the rest improve precision. |
| Version | Version 1 |
| Development Team Contact Information | CrashSavers Trauma / Global Surgical Training Challenge — project page. No individual developer email published in the source. |
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin | 2 | PVC pipe, 4 in (10 cm) diameter | $3.00 | Two half-pipe sections (code PVC-1) made from one 4 in PVC pipe; the surface the learner presses on. Simulates the external limb/wound surface. |
| Blood vessel | 2 | Latex plastic hose, 5 mm | $4.00 | Source prices both hoses together. One runs through the compression zone and is squeezed when pressure is applied (the simulated vessel); the second carries water from the pump. ⚑ Open for review: the second hose is a supply line (structural function) — confirm whether to split it out. |
| Blood | 1 | Water | — | Pumped through the latex hose to simulate blood flow; flow stoppage indicates adequate pressure. Recirculated from the reservoir. |
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood pieces (W-1, W-2, W-3, W-4, W-5, W-7) | 16 | Wood pieces | $5.55 | 16 pieces in six lengths (W-1 300 mm ×4; W-2 150 mm ×4; W-3 240 mm ×1; W-4 500 mm ×2; W-5 175 mm ×4; W-7 240 mm ×1; 10 mm thick). Cutting diagrams in the manual (Section 4.0.1). Shared with the Tourniquet Simulator. |
| Base board (W-6) | 1 | Wood slice / board | $3.20 | 600 × 400 × 10 mm mounting base. Board material not specified in source. |
| Pressure channel pipe (PVC-2) | 1 | PVC pipe, ½ in | $0.60 | 30 cm internal pressure channel; sealed with plug (U) and fitted with brass adapter (A). |
| Pressure channel seal (U) | 1 | PVC plug, ½ in | $1.00 | Seals one end of the PVC-2 pressure channel. |
| Hose connection adapter (A) | 1 | Brass hose fitting adapter, ¼ in barb × ¼ in NPT male | $7.24 | Connects the PVC-2 pressure channel to the latex hose. |
| Frame assembly screws (S-1) | 16 | Screws, 3.0 mm × 4.5 cm | $1.60 | Secure the W-1 and W-2 frame layers. |
| Frame extension screws (S-2) | 4 | Screws, 3.0 mm × 8.0 cm | $0.41 | Attach vertical supports; use with washers. |
| Centerline post fasteners (S-3) | 3 | Screws, 4.0 mm × 8.0 cm | $0.31 | Form three vertical posts along the W-3 crosspiece. |
| Mechanism mounting screws (FS-1) | 8 | Flat-head screws, 3.0 mm × 8.0 cm | $0.50 | Install the spring-compression guide with the W-5 plates. |
| Small fastener nuts | 36 | Nuts, 3.0 mm | $1.85 | Secure the S-1, S-2 and FS-1 screws. |
| Large fastener nuts | 6 | Nuts, 4.0 mm | $0.31 | Secure the S-3 corner-post screws. |
| Compression spring (R-1) | 1 | Spring, 4.0 mm (30 cm) | $3.97 | One 30 cm spring cut into four 4 cm segments (16 cm used). |
| Connection sealant | 1 | Teflon tape | $0.25 | Wrap hose connections to prevent leaks. |
| Fluid pressure pump | 1 | Water pump (fumigator) | $15.00 | Hand pump that creates the fluid pressure driving the circuit. |
| Water reservoir | 1 | Plastic water bottle | $1.50 | Collects water returning from the circuit. |
| Hose securing ties | 1 bag (10) | Plastic ties | $1.00 | Secure the hose along the frame; tighten just enough to seat it without crimping. |
| Wood joint adhesive | As needed | Super glue | — | Source-listed; reinforces wood joints during assembly (no price given in source). ⚑ Open for review: not shown in the assembly diagrams. |
Build Instructions
Resources
- Source PDF: Pressure Simulator — Step by Step Building Manual
- Wood cutting diagrams: Wood Diagrams (external link) or see Section 4.0.1 of the PDF.
- Tools are listed up front under Specialized Tools and Equipment.
Materials and Tools Reference
For the complete materials list, part codes and fastener reference, see the Step-by-Step Building Manual (PDF), pages 4–9.
Preparation
Step 1: Cut all wood pieces to the dimensions in the cutting diagrams (PDF Section 4.0.1). Sand all cut edges.
Step 2: Prepare the PVC-1 half-pipes. Cut two 20 cm sections from the 4 in (10 cm) PVC pipe and split each into a half-pipe. Sand cut edges.
Step 3: Prepare the PVC-2 pressure channel. Cut a 30 cm length of ½ in PVC pipe. Seal one end with the plug (U). Fit the brass adapter (A) at the other end with Teflon tape.
Step 4: Cut the spring (R-1). Cut four 4 cm segments from the 30 cm compression spring.
Frame Assembly
The source PDF shows the assembly as 17 labelled 3D diagrams; each step below describes the action in the matching diagram (the PDF step number is kept in the image caption for traceability).
Step 1: Attach W-1 (long sides) to W-2 (short sides) with S-1 screws to form a rectangular base frame layer.
Step 2: Add W-3 (the spring-post crosspiece) as a cross-member with S-1 screws.
Step 3: Install three S-3 screws vertically through W-3's three holes to form three posts along the crosspiece centreline; secure with 4.0 mm nuts underneath.
Step 4: Complete the second frame layer (W-1, W-2) with S-1 screws.
Step 5: Install W-7 as a transverse cross-brace with S-1 screws.
Step 6: Install the S-2 mounting posts and the R-1 compression springs into the frame mechanism.
Pressure Channel Assembly
Step 1: Seal the PVC-2 pressure channel with the plug (U) at one end.
Step 2: Attach the brass adapter (A) to the open end of the PVC-2 channel.
Surface and Final Assembly
Step 1: Place the PVC-1 half-pipes over the pressure channel assembly.
Step 2: Mount the W-4 supports and the W-5 spring-compression guides on the base board (W-6) with FS-1 flat-head screws.
Step 3: Secure the full mechanism assembly to the base board with S-1 screws.
Fluid Circuit and Testing
Step 1: Connect the latex hose to the brass adapter (A) on the pressure channel.
Step 2: Route the hose through the mechanism and secure it with plastic ties.
Step 3: Connect the fumigator pump and water reservoir to complete the fluid circuit. Test by pumping water through the system — pressing on the PVC half-pipe surface should reduce or stop the flow.
References
- ↑ CrashSavers VR (2020). Pressure Simulator — Step by Step Building Manual. Appropedia.
- ↑ CrashSavers Trauma Project. Hemorrhage Control Techniques — Pressure and Packing. Appropedia.
| Alternative names | Wound Packing Trainer CrashSavers Wound Packing Simulator |
|---|
| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Simulators/Wound Packing Simulator". Appropedia. Retrieved July 11, 2026. |