Wound of the Month: Bloody or Coffee Ground Emesis

Time: 1-2 minutes

Skill Level: Beginner

Supplies: (Find supplies and more at www.moulageconcepts.com.)

1 Tbsp. used coffee grounds

3 Tbsp. water

5–6 rusty nails or pennies

1/4 drop caramel coloring

1/4 tsp. blood powder

Equipment:

Small paint brush

Wax paper, 4″ x 4″

Tablespoon

Teaspoon

Emesis basin or vessel

Technique:

Combine the used coffee grounds and water in an emesis basin or vessel. Stir for approximately one minute or until the water becomes tainted with the coffee ground mixture and coffee oil residue coats the walls of the vessel. Add additional water as necessary to create a “slushie” consistency.

Place a single drop of caramel coloring on the wax paper. Quickly dip the end of the paint brush into the caramel coloring, absorbing approximately 1/4 of the droplet. Swirl the paint brush through the emesis mixture depositing the color. Carefully add blood powder, stirring well to combine.

Odor: Swirl rusty nails or pennies through coffee ground mixture for approximately one minute to create a slight, “bloody metallic” smell.

Quick Fix:

The mixture can be made ahead, dried and stored, covered, in the emesis basin or vessel. Store the rusty nails in the emesis basin, allowing the contents to dry fully at room temperature. To reconstitute the emesis mixture, add 2 Tbsp. of tap water to the emesis basin. Gently swirl the mixture around the vessel and allow it to rest for at least five minutes. Remove the nails and/or pennies before proceeding.

Dispatch:

Medic 12, respond Code 3 to residence, unknown injuries. Hwy. 70, nearest cross street, 149 Mecca Road. Oroville Fire responding. 2230 hours. Dispatch clear.

On Scene:

Dress the victim in a pretreated bloody emesis shirt. To create the shirt: Using a large paint brush that has been dipped in bloody emesis, liberally apply the emesis mixture to the collar, chest and abdomen of a light-colored button down shirt.    

Using a make-up sponge, apply white make-up to the face of victim, blending well along the jaw. Using a blush brush, apply blood powder to the chin and side of the victim's mouth and lightly mist with water. Create beads of sweat on the skin by applying a light mist of pre-made sweat mixture to the forehead, chin and upper lip of the patient. Prepare an emesis bag by placing 1/2 to 3/4 cup of bloody emesis in a small, sealable freezer bag. When responders arrive at the door, instruct the victim to discreetly empty the contents of the bag onto their lap, floor or furniture, and begin dry heaving.  

Use in Conjunction With:

Fresh blood

Helpful Hint:

For additional realism: Mix 1 tsp. of blood powder with 1 cup of water in a drinking bottle; shake well to combine. The victim can store “bloodied” fluid in their mouth and expel it in front of the first responders when they arrive. (Do not drink tinted water.)

Cleanup and Storage:

Using a soft clean cloth or make-up remover towelette, wipe away the make-up and sweat from the skin of the victim. Treated garments can be stored together in a sealed freezer bag in your moulage box for future use.

Bobbie Merica is the author of Medical Moulage: How to Make Your Simulations Come Alive, Moulage! Bridging the Gap in Simulation and Moulage Magic! Theatrical Tricks to Bring Simulation to Life. All works are based on her popular Moulage Mastery! Bridging the Gap^TM in Simulation workshops. She received her certification in Moulage-The Art of Injury Simulation; Biological/Chemical/Terrorism and WMD terrorism training through TEEX. Upon discovering the absence of moulage specific to a clinical/hospital setting, she designed and implemented the first of a series of 3D clinical wounds, moulage kits and courses that she teaches all over the country. She began her career as a simulation technologist with California State University, Chico, where her collaborative work in the development of the Rural Northern California Simulation Center earned runner-up honors in Advance magazine 2009 Best Nursing Team contest. She is a contributing author for EMS World and HealthySimulations.com, and medical moulage & trauma expert for the Bureau of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, AZ. She will be offering the Medical & Trauma Moulage Workshop for Simulated Clinical Experiences, August 29–31, at the Little America Hotel & Resort in Cheyenne, WY. For more information, visit www.moulageconcepts.com.