Bandaging

What to consider before responding to Emergencies, including bandaging?

1. Survey the Scene for security and safety for the responder and possible client.
2. Always identify yourself to the patient and or family member.
3. Always inform the patient / family member the procedure that you are going to do. Ex.
Bandaging the injured head, splinting the sprained ankle
4. Body isolation on. Wear available PPE such as face mask, gloves etc
5. Handwashing / hand sanitizing if possible before and after the procedure.
6. Always call for help / ambulance for situations you as First Aid responder can not contain.

What to check after the application of the bandage?

1. Pain
2. Pallor - paleness of the distal portion
3. Paralysis - check for the motor functioning
4. Pulse - check for the presence of pulse
5. Paresthesia - check for abnormal sensation such as tingling and numbness

Bandaging

Bandaging is the process of covering a wound or injury with a strip, pad, or piece of
soft material that is used to cover, protect, support, immobilize, compress, or restrict
the movement of a wound or injured body part.

Bandaging material can be made of gauze, cloth, plastic, or fabric, and sometimes
contains medication.

Bandaging material can be used with or without a dressing, which is a material placed
directly against the wound. 

Bandaging material can also be improvised from clothing, blankets, or other material.

Types of Bandage:

1. Using a triangular bandage / cravat

2. Using an elastic bandage

A triangular bandage, also known as a triangular sling or cravat, is usually made from a cloth.
muslin cloth. These bandages are very versatile and efficient. These can be folded into a sling
or can be used to provide the necessary pressure to a wound that is bleeding.

Triangular bandages are a first-aid essential and should always be present inside your first-
aid kit in the prescribed amount and condition.
 
3 Parts of a Triangular Bandage:

1. Base – this is the longest part of the triangular bandage

2. Apex / Point – this is the corner that is directly opposite to the middle of the base
3. Tail / Ends – the remaining two corners

Uses /Type :
1. Sling - provide support to an upper-body injury like a shoulder or elbow fracture.

2. Broad-fold bandage - provide support to a lower-body injury like a knee fracture.


3. Narrow-fold bandage
The triangular bandage - help suppress the bleeding and provide support to a lower limb injury.
4. A narrow-fold bandage can also be used as a collar-and-cuff sling for upper body injuries.

5. Pad - use as dressing on major wounds.

Uses:

1. Sling (Arm or Elevation)

A triangular bandage is commonly used as a sling. It can be turned into an arm sling to
support injuries on a lower arm or a hand. An arm sling can also be used for fractures
sustained on the ribs or the collarbones. Similarly, a triangular bandage can be turned into
an elevation sling for use on arm or finger injuries, where the area injured needs to remain
in an elevated position.

2. Bandage for head injuries

While a roller bandage is more commonly used in addressing head injuries, a triangular
bandage can also be used in its place. A triangular bandage provides a more loose option for
the area around the top of the head.

3. Bandage for sprained ankle
A triangular bandage also works well when treating sprained ankles.

4. Tourniquet
For bleeding wounds that cannot be suppressed, a triangular bandage works as a great
tourniquet.

5. Bleeding wounds
For serious bleeding wounds, a triangular bandage can be used like a trauma pad to apply
pressure on the wound.

6. Splint for broken legs

There are various ways to use a triangular bandage as a splint to keep a broken or fractured
leg stationary against further injury.

7. Bandage for eye injuries

A triangular bandage is ideal when it comes to eye injuries. Since both eyes need to get
bandages regardless of whether only one eye sustains an injury, a triangular bandage can
provide enough coverage for both eyes.

8. Bandage for fractured jaw
A triangular bandage is ideal for keeping a fractured jaw in place.

9. Bandage for shoulder injuries

A triangular bandage can also be used in case of shoulder injuries. Just make sure to keep
the bandage loose so that blood circulation under the armpit is maintained

10. Hip wrap

A triangular bandage is ideal when it comes to hip injuries.

11. Minor hand burns

A triangular bandage offers an alternative option for wrapping minor hand burns. When
doing so, make sure that the bandage is loose enough to inhibit the cloth from sticking to
the wound.