What is the difference between dressing and bandaging?

The terms ‘dressing’ and ‘bandage’ are often used synonymously. In fact, the term
‘dressing’ refers more correctly to the primary layer in contact with the wound . A
‘bandage’ is a piece of material used either to cover wounds, to keep dressings in place,
to apply pressure controlling bleeding, to support a medical device such as a splint, or
on its own to provide support to the body. It can also be used to restrict a part of the
body.

Dressings are used to cover wounds, to prevent contamination and to control

bleeding. In providing first aid, self-adhesive dressings or gauze dressings are
commonly used. Adhesive dressings are used mainly for small wounds. They come in
many different sizes, including specific types for placement on fingertips. Gauze
dressings are thick, cotton pads used to cover larger wounds. They are held in place
with tape or by wrapping with a gauze strip (bandage). Dressings must be sterile and
absorbent to deter the growth of bacteria, and should be left in place until the wound
heals, unless it needs to be regularly cleaned.

What are the wound dressing and bandaging techniques?

Techniques in Applying a Dressing

A. Wash hands and wear gloves, if possible.

B. Unwrap the dressing as close to the wound as possible. Be sure not to touch the
wound.
C. Skin is not sterile. If the dressing slips over the victim’s skin while you are trying
to position it, discard and use a fresh one.
D. Place the dressing over the wound.
E. Use a dressing that is large enough to extend at least 1 inch beyond the edges of
the wound.
F. If body tissue or organs are exposed, cover the wound with a dressing that will
stick.
G. Then secure the dressing with a bandage or adhesive tape. Cold compress is used
to reduce swelling and relieve pain, especially used for sprains and strains. Cold
packs can be used as cold compress. Hot compress is also used to allow normal
blood circulation. Cold and hot compress are applied alternately for closed wounds
or contusions. Bandages are used to apply pressure to bleeding; for covering
wounds and burns; and providing support for immobilization for broken bones,
sprains and strains. There are three main types of bandages namely: triangular,
ace and tubular. Triangular bandage is made from cloth and can be used as cold
compress, padding, support for pressure, or support sling. Ace bandage secures
dressings in place. Tubular bandage is used to support joints or hold dressings in
place. Smaller tubular bandage is used for finger injuries. There are two phases of
 bandaging, the open and cravat phase. An open phase bandaging is used for
wounds on top and back of the head, chest, back, hand, and foot, and as arm
sling. A cravat phase bandaging is used for wounds that need extra support like
wound on the eye, forehead, ear, cheek, jaw, shoulder, hip, arm, leg, elbow,
knee, and palm and for a sprained ankle. The narrower the cravat is, the greater
pressure it will give.

Phases of Bandaging

Techniques in bandaging

A. Keep in mind the following:

 Always use a square knot
  Keep the cloth sterile to avoid infection
 Always keep the ends
B. Bandaging technique depends upon the size and location of the wound, your first
aid skills, and materials at hand.
C. Bandage firmly over bleeding and securely over the broken bone, not so tight so
as not to cut off blood circulation.
D. When wrapping bandages around the body, such as knees, ankles, neck, and
small back, uses its natural hollows to slide the bandage gently into place.
E. Since most injuries swell, check regularly to ensure that the bandage is still
comfortable and that it remains firmly secured.
F. Secure the bandage with a tape, clips or a bow or square knot. Ensure that the
bandages, especially the knots, do not touch the skin.

What are the different types of triangular/cravat bandaging?

A. Triangle of Forehead or Scalp
The triangle of forehead or scalp (fronto-occipital) is used to hold dressings on
the forehead or scalp.
1. Place middle of base of triangle so that edge is just above the eyebrows and
bring apex backward, allowing it to drop over back of the head. Brings ends
of triangle backward above ears.
2. Cross ends over apex at the back of the head, carry ends around forehead,
and tie them in a square knot.
3. Turn up apex of bandage toward the top of the head. Pin with safety pin or
tuck in behind crossed part of bandage.

Triangle of Forehead and Scalp

B. Triangular Arm Sling
The triangular arm sling (brachio-cervical triangle) is used for the support of
fractures or injuries of hand, wrist, and forearm. Two versions of this ling are
shown below:
a. In this method of applying the sling, the forearm is supported from both
shoulders by the sling.
1. Bend arm at elbow so that little finger is about a handbreadth above level
of elbow.
2. Place one end of triangle over shoulder on injured side and let bandage
hang down over chest with base toward hand and apex toward elbow.
3. Slip bandage between body and arm.
4. Carry lower end up over shoulder on uninjured side.
5. Tie the two ends, by square knot, at the neck. Knot should be on either
side of the neck, not in the middle where it could cause discomfort when
patient is lying on back.
6. Draw apex of bandage toward elbow until snug, bring it around to front,
and fasten with safety pin or adhesive tape.

Triangular Arm Sling.a

b. If it is desirable to support the forearm without pressure on the collarbone or

shoulder of the injured side, the following steps are taken.
1. Bend arm at elbow so that little finger is about a handbreadth above level
of elbow.
2. Drape upper end of triangle over uninjured shoulder.
3. Slip bandage between body and arm.
4. Carry lower end up over flexed forearm (ends of fingers should extend
slightly beyond base of triangle).
5. Slide lower end of bandage under injured shoulder between arm and body
and secure the two ends with a square knot.
6. Draw apex toward elbow until snug, and secure safety pin or adhesive
tape.
 Triangular Arm Sling. b

C. Triangle Chest or Back

This bandage is used to hold dressings on burns or wounds of chest or back.
1. Drop apex of triangle over shoulder on injured side. Bring bandage down over
chest (or back) to cover dressing, so that the middle of the base of bandage
is directly below injury. Turn up a cuff at base.
2. Carry ends around and tie in a square knot, leaving one end longer than the
other.
3. Bring apex down and tie to long end of first knot.

Triangle Chest or Back

D. Triangle of Shoulder
The triangle of shoulder is used to hold dressings or wounds of the shoulder.
Two bandages are required, one triangle and the other is a cravat, roller
bandage or a belt.
1. Place center of cravat, roller bandage, or belt, at base neck or injured side,
and fasten just forward of opposite armpit.
2. Slide apex of open triangle under cravat at base of neck and place over
dressing on injured shoulder and upper arm. Turn up cuff at base.
3. Bring ends around arm and tie.
4. Secure apex to cravat at neck by tucking in, or with safety pin.
 Triangle of Shoulder

E. Triangle of Hip
The triangle of hip is used to hold dressings on the buttock or hip. It requires
two bandages, one a triangle and the other is a cravat, roller bandage or a belt.
1. Fasten cravat, roller bandage, or belt around waist.
2. Place base of triangle below buttock (gluteo-femoral fold), and slide apex
under cravat at waist. Fold base upward to form cuff and carry ends of base
around thigh.
3. Tie ends of base with square foot. Fasten apex to waist cravat with safety pin
or by tucking under.

Triangle of Hip

F. Triangle of Foot
The triangle of the foot is used to hold dressings of considerable size on the foot.
 1. Center foot upon bandage at right angles to base, with hell well forward of
base.
2. Carry apex of triangle over toes to ankle and tuck excess fullness of
bandage into small pleats on each side of foot.
3. Cross each half of bandage toward opposite side of ankle.
4. Bring ends of triangle around ankle.
5. Tie ends in square knot.

Triangle of Foot

G. Triangle of Hand
The triangle of the hand is used to hold dressings of considerable size on the
hand.
1. Place middle of base of triangle well up on palmar surface of wrist.
2. Carry apex around ends of fingers. Cover back (dorsum) of hand to wrist and
tuck excess fullness of bandage into small pleats on each side of hand.

Triangle of Hand
H. Cravat of Head or Ear
The purpose of this bandage is to apply pressure to control hemorrhage from
wounds of scalp, or to hold dressings on wounds of ear or lower scalp.
1. Place middle of cravat over dressing.
2. Pass each end completely around head.
3. Tie in square knot.

Cravat of Head or Ear

I. Cravat of Jaw
The cravat of jaw is used to hold dressings on the chin, cheeks, and scalp and as
a temporary support to immobilize a fractured or dislocated jaw.
1. After making a triangular bandage into a cravat of proper width, place it
under the chin and carry ends upward with one end longer than the other.
2. Bring longer end over top of head. Cross both ends on side of head.
3. Pass ends around head in opposite directions and tie with square knot on the
other side of head of hand on primary turn of cravat.
 Cravat of Jaw

J. Cravat Bandage of Eye

The cravat bandage of eye is used to hold a dressing over the eye. Two cravats
are required.
1. Lay center of first cravat over top of head with the front end falling over
uninjured eye.
2. Bring second cravat around head, over eyes, and over loose ends of first
cravat. Tie in front.
3. Bring ends of first cravat back over top of head, tying there and pulling
second cravat up and away from uninjured eye.

Cravat Bandage of Eye

K. Shoulder-Armpit Cravat
The shoulder armpit cravat is used to hold dressings in the armpit or on the
shoulder.
L. Cravat of Elbow
The cravat of the elbow is used to hold dressings around the elbow.

Cravat of Elbow

M. Cravat of Knee
The cravat of the knee is sed to hold dressings around the knee.

N. Cravat of Palm of Hand Cravat of Knee

This bandage is used to hold dressing on the palm of hand.
1. Lay center of cravat over center of palm of hand with ends hanging down
each side.
 2. Bring the thumb end across back of hand, over palm, and through hollow
between thumb and palm.
3. Cross both ends at back of hand.
4. Continue procedure, end crossing first at back of hand and then over palm.
5. Tie in square knot at wrist.

O. Cravat of Leg
The cravat of the knee is used to hold dressings around the knee.

Cravat of the Leg