Type of Bandages

Roller bandages are the most common type of bandage. They’re normally made from a single continuous
strip of lightweight and breathable cotton gauze, used primarily for holding dressings against wounds.

Most first aid kits will also have thicker, crepe roller bandages which are great for supporting joints due to
their elasticated design. They can also be used to control light to moderate bleeding when used together
with a pad or dressing, which makes them very useful in emergency situations.

Roller bandages typically look like a tightly wrapped cylinder of white cotton gauze. In most cases, roller
bandages are supplied in sterile plastic packets that provide details about the type of bandage, the density
of the weave and the degree of elasticity.

How to apply roller bandage?

 
a. Lay the end of the bandage on the bottom of the limb to be wrapped and at an angle so one corner (apex) of the bandage will
not be covered when the bandage is brought around the limb.

b. Wrap the bandage completely around the limb twice and past the raised corner.
 
 
c. Fold the corner over the second turn of the bandage.

 
d. Continue wrapping the bandage around the limb a third time, bringing the bandage over and covering the turned-down corner.
The bandage is now anchored.

Triangular bandages are amongst the more versatile types of bandaging you can usually find in a first aid kit. They
are designed for constructing slings that Support soft tissue injuries and immobilize broken bones.

Triangular bandages are amongst the more versatile types of bandaging you can usually find in a first aid
kit. They are essentially a single sheet of thick cotton or calico designed for constructing slings that:

 Support soft tissue injuries

 Immobilize broken bones

You can also use triangle bandages to create a makeshift tourniquet in emergency situations. If no roller
bandages are available, you can also wrap one around a pad or dressing to apply pressure.

Triangular bandages will look for a larger, square packet within your first aid kit, containing a triangle of
cloth. Some triangular bandages are also supplied with safety pins to aid with sling construction.

When using a triangular bandage to support or immobilize a limb, you’ll first need to figure out the most
appropriate type of sling for the injury.
 How to use triangular bandage?

1. \Ask the casualty to support their arm with their other hand. Gently slide the triangular bandage underneath the arm.
The point of the triangle should be underneath the elbow of the injured arm. Bring the top end of the bandage around
the back of the neck.

2. Fold the lower end of the bandage up over the forearm to meet the top of the bandage at the shoulder of the
injured side.

3. Tie the two ends of the bandage together in a reef knot above their collar bone and tuck in the free ends.
4. Adjust the sling so that it supports their arm all the way to the end of their little finger.

5. Make sure that the edge of the bandage by the elbow is secured by twisting the fabric and tucking it in, or using a

safety pin to fasten.

6. Check the circulation in their fingertips every 10 minutes. Press their nail for 5 seconds until it turns pale, then
release to see if the colour returns within 2 seconds.
Tubular bandages are perhaps the least versatile of the three conventional bandages. These are
elasticated tubes of thick gauze designed for use with a single body part, dictated by the width of the
bandage itself. They provide compression, can be used to immobilize/support knee and elbow joints and, in
some cases, hold a dressing against a limb.

Tubular bandages look like a long ring of bandage within a first aid kit, or potentially like a roll of elasticated,
circular bandage that’s designed to be cut to fit the required area.

To use a tubular bandage, simply slide it up slowly until it’s covering whatever body part you are trying to
treat. If you are using a tubular bandage to support a joint that’s all you need to do, but if you are using a
tubular bandage to hold a dressing tight against a limb, you’ll want to cut the dressing in place first, ask the
patient to hold it in place, and then slowly slide the tubular bandage up until it covers the pad, taking care
not to displace the dressing or contaminate the wound.