CHAPTER 2 Being Fit: FIRST AID

LESSON 7 BANDAGES

He heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds. Psalms 147:3

Covering a break in the skin helps to control bleeding and protect against infection.
Dressings-are pads of gauze or cloth that can be placed directly against the wound to absorb blood and other
fluids.

3 types of bandages
Roller Bandages- is a strip of gauze or cotton material prepared in a roll. Roller bandages can be used to
immobilize injured body parts (sprains and torn muscles), provide pressure to control internal
or external bleeding, absorb drainage, and secure dressings

Tubular Bandages elastic bandages are used to provide 360 degrees of uniform compression and support for
helping to prevent or reduce edema as well as treating post-burn scarring.
These bandages secure without the use of clips or tape, and are available in a variety of
widths and lengths.

Triangular Bandages- is made from a strong type of cloth which has been cut into a right-angle triangle.
The triangle can be folded down into a “cravat.” 

The standard size of triangle bandages is 40x40x56 inches (102x102x142 cm). However, you can sometimes
find them in other sizes too.

Methods of Applying Bandage

 Circular
 Spiral
 Reverse Spiral
 Fig, of 8
https://www.slideshare.net/abdullah.sachwani/bandaging-1197213?
next_slideshow=1

Medical Uses for a Triangular Bandage

1. Sling (Arm or Elevated)

This is the most common use for a triangular bandage.  Note that there are different types of slings depending
on the injury.  The video below explains when to use an arm sling and when to use an elevated sling.

2. Head Injury

Typically, a roller bandage is used to treat head injuries.  However, a triangular bandage is great for treating
burns to the head as it can be left loose around the top of the head.
3. Sprained Ankle

I always have an Ace bandage (Amazon Link) in my first aid kit when going out into the wilderness.

In a pinch though, you can use a triangle bandage to treat a sprain. First, you’ll need to fold it into a cravat.

A standard triangular bandage isn’t long enough to be wrapped like an Ace bandage would, so use this
wrapping technique instead.

4. Tourniquet

Be warned that treating bleeding injuries does not require a tourniquet in most cases!

However recent studies have shown that early use of a tourniquet can save lives.  If you really can’t stop the
bleeding and a tourniquet is necessary, a triangular bandage works great

5.  Bleeding Wounds

This is why you want to make sure your triangle bandage is sterile.  It can be folded into a square shape and
used to apply pressure over a wound (just like you’d use a trauma pad).

6. Splint for Broken Legs

When a leg is broken or fractured, you need to immobilize it to prevent further injury.

There are a few ways of tying a splint.  One method is to tie two branches to each side of the injured leg.

Another method is to roll up a blanket and put it between the legs, then tie the legs together around the blanket.

However, for field injuries, the method shown below is probably best.  You wrap the injured leg with a sleeping
pad or blanket. Then you tie the splint.  The padding immobilizes the leg without cutting off circulation

7. Eye Injuries

With eye injuries, it is important that you bandage both eyes.  The reason for this is to stop your eyes from
moving: if one eye moves, the injured eye will move also.
The video below uses a roller bandage to hold a plastic cup over the eye.  This is the ideal way to treat an eye
injury. In a pinch, you could use a use a triangular bandage (folded as a cravat) over both eyes

8. Fractured Jaw

If SHTF and a fight breaks out, you could find yourself treating a fractured jaw. A triangular bandage is ideal
for immobilizing the jaw. Start under the chin and bring the bandage up over the head.  The sides of the
bandage will meet above one ear and then be tied around the forehead

9. Shoulder Injuries

When using a triangular bandage for the shoulder, it is important that you keep it fairly loose.  You don’t want
to cut off circulation under the armpit.
A good trick is to put some padding (like a folded t-shirt) under the armpit before bandaging.  This will allow
you to tie the triangular bandage tighter without cutting off circulation.
10. Hip Wrap

The triangular bandage is great for hip injuries.  It should be placed to cover as wide of a space as possible.

11. Minor Hand Burns

You wouldn’t want to use this bandaging technique with serious burns.  The burn skin would get stuck to the
bandage, making it very painful to remove.

Learn how to treat serious burns here.

For minor hand burns though, a wet triangle bandage can work very well. The wetness keeps the bandage from
sticking to the wound (apply burn salve if you have it!).

The bandage is kept loose so it doesn’t stick to the hand, but still protects the burn from getting dirty.

Here are just some of the other triangle bandage uses I can think of.

12. Pre-Filtering Water: Use the bandage to filter out dirt, algae, and debris before treating it with boiling, UV
light (Amazon Link), or water purification tabs.

13. Face Mask: Moisten the triangle bandage and then put it over your mouth. It isn’t as effective as an N95
mask, but will still help protect you from airborne chemicals and toxic exposure.

14. Fire Starter: Some triangle bandages are made from synthetic materials which don’t burn well. But the
bandages from cotton are great as emergency tinder.

15. Tying: Out of paracord? You can cut the triangle bandage into strips to tie things.