An aqueous solution of polyacrylic acid is placed in a mold, frozen, and
freeze-dried to form a sponge-like polyacrylic acid structure. The
sponge-like polyacrylic acid structure is compressed by the application
of heat and pressure to reduce the thickness and increase the density of
the sponge-like polyacrylic acid structure to form a densified
polyacrylic acid structure. The densified polyacrylic acid structure is
preconditioned by heating to form a wound dressing. The wound dressing
can be applied to control severe, life-threatening bleeding from a wound
at a wound site of a person.