GROUP B

TRIANGULAR BANDAGE
Two main types of Bandages
• When it comes to first aid, there are two main types of bandages.
• The first are roller bandages, which are typically used for holding a dressing in
place.
• The second is a triangular bandage. While triangle bandages are most often
used for making slings, they are very versatile – as you can see by these many
uses for a triangular bandage
What is a Triangular Bandage?
• Used for the temporary or permanent bandaging of wounds, the immobilization
of fractures and dislocations, and as a sling for the support of an injured part of
the body.
• It is valuable in emergency bandaging since it is quickly and easily applied, stays
on well, and can be improvised from a piece of shirt, an old sheet, a large
handkerchief, or any other pliable material of suitable size
• A standard Triangular bandage is made from a piece of unbleached cotton cloth
approximately 40x40x56 inches.
• It is easy to apply and can be handles so that the part over the dressing won’t be
soiled.
• When applied correctly, the triangular bandage can be used on most parts of the
body and does not slip off.
• A triangular bandage can be used fully opened or folded into a carvat; it is most
commonly used to:
1. Support fractures and dislocations
2. Apply splints
3. Form slings
4. Make improvised tourniquets
• In an emergency, you can make a triangular bandage from a clean handkerchief,
a cotton towel, or a clean piece of shirt. If a regular- sized bandage is too short,
tie a second bandage to one end.
Dimension
The standard size of triangle bandages is 40x40x56 inches (102x102x142 cm).
However, you can sometimes find them in other sizes too. When folded down, the
triangle bandage is quite small – usually just around 5 inches.
When buying or making triangle bandages, it is mostly important that the bandage is a
right-angle triangle. Otherwise, it won’t work as well for many first aid functions.
Tying a square knot
It is also used for first aid, where it can be used to tie a bandage around a
wound to secure the body part in place or stop the bleeding quickly.
 1. TOP OF THE HEAD

Description: This bandage is used to retain compresses on the forehead or scalp.

Principles to Follow in Executing this Activity/Procedure:

I. Fold back the base about 2 inches to make a hem. Place the middle of the base on the
forehead, just above the eyebrows, with the hem on the outside.
II. Let the point fall over the head and down over the back of the head.
III. Bring the ends of the triangle around the back of the head above the ears, cross them
over the point, carry them around the forehead, and tie in a SQUARE KNOT.
IV. Hold the compress firmly with one hand, and, with the other, gently pull down the point
until the compress is snug; then bring the point up and tuck it over and in the bandage
where it crosses the back part of the head.

Materials Needed:

i. Triangular bandage 40 inches square

2. ANTERIOR AND BACK CHEST

Description: This bandage is used to hold dressings on burns or wounds of chest or back.

Principles to Follow in Executing this Activity/Procedure:

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

Materials needed
 i.Triangular bandage 40 inches square

3. SHOULDER

Description: The triangle of the shoulder is used to old dressing on wounds of the shoulder. Two
bandages are required, one a triangle and the other a cravat, roller bandage, or belt.

Principles to Follow in Executing this Activity or Procedure:

I. Place the cravat, roller bandage, or belt, at base of neck on injured side, and fasten
just forward of opposite armpit.
II. 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.
III. Bring ends around arm tie.
IV. Secure apex to cravat at neck by tucking in, or with safety pin.

Materials Needed:
i. Triangular bandage 40 inches square
ii. Cravat
iii. Roller bandage
iv. Belt

4. ARM SLING

Description: The Triangular arm sling (brachio-cervical triangle) is used for the support of
fractures nor injured hand, wrist, and forearms.

Principles to Follow in Executing this Activity/Procedure:

A. In this method of applying the sling, the forearm is supported from both
shoulders by the sling.

I. Place one end of the base of an open triangular bandage over the shoulder of the
uninjured side.
II. Allow the bandage to hang down in front of the chest so its apex will be behind
the elbow of the injured arm.
 III. Bend the arm at the elbow with the hand slightly elevated (four to five inches).
When possible, the fingertips should be exposed so you can monitor for impaired
circulation.
IV. Bring the forearm across the chest and over the bandage.
V. Carry the lower end of the bandage over the shoulder of the injured side, and tie
a square knot at the uninjured side of the neck; make sure the knot is at the side
of the neck.
VI. Twist the apex of the bandage and tuck it in or pin it at the elbow.

B. If the desirable to support the forearm without pressure on the collarbone

or shoulder of the injured side, the following steps are taken.

I. Bend arm at elbow so that the little finger is about a handbreadth above level of
elbow.
II. Drape upper end of triangle over uninjured shoulder.
III. Slip bandage between body and arm.
IV. Carry lower end up over flexed forearm (ends of fingers should extend slightly
beyond base of triangle).
V. Slide lower end of bandage under injured shoulder be- tween arm and body and
secure the two ends with a square knot.
VI. Draw apex toward elbow until snug, and secure with safety pin or adhesive tape.

Materials Needed:

i. 40" x 40" x 56" Triangular Sling/Bandage

5. HAND

Description: The triangle of hand is used to hold dressings of considerable size of the hand.
Principles to Follow in Executing this Activity/Procedure:

I. Place the Hand in the middle of the triangular bandage with the wrist well forward of the base
(A).
II. Ensure that the fingers are separated with absorbent material to prevent chafing and irritation
of the skin.
III. Place the apex over the top of the hand and tuck any excess material into the pleats on each
side (B).
IV. Cross the ends on top of the hand, take them around the wrist, and tie at the front of the
wrist (C, D, and E).

Materials Needed:

i. Triangular bandage 40 inches square

6. HIPS

Description: This bandage is used to hold dressings on the buttocks or hip.

Principles to Follow in Executing this Activity/Procedure:
I. Fasten cravat, roller bandage or belt around waist.
II. 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.
III. Tie ends of base with square knot. Fasten apex to waist cravat with safety pin or by
tucking under.

Materials needed
i. Triangular bandage 40 inches square
ii. Safety pin (optional)
 7. FOOT

Description: This bandage is used to retain large compresses on the foot. After the compresses are
applied, place the foot in the center of a triangular bandage and carry the point over the ends of the
toes and over the upper side of the foot to the ankle. Fold in excess bandage at the side of the foot,
cross the ends, and tie in a square knot in front.
Principles to Follow in Executing This Activity/Procedure:
I. Center foot upon bandage at right angles to base, with heel well forward of base.
II. Carry apex of triangle over toes to ankle, and tuck excess fullness of bandage into small pleats
on each side of foot.
III. Cross each half of bandage toward opposite side of ankle.
IV. Bring ends of triangle around ankle.
V. Tie ends in square knot.

Materials Needed:
i. Triangular bandage 40 inches square

References:
• Keith Karren, B. H. (2004). An Introduction to First Aid for Colleges and Universities 8th
Edition. Jurong, Singapore: Pearson Education South Asia PTE. LTD.
• Primal Survivor (2021). Triangular Bandage. Retrieved from
https://www.primalsurvivor.net/triangular-bandage-
uses/?fbclid=IwAR1vEIHeRadsMQpZKGVtZL_9zsL0CsiNkQiKH0gn6KzRGsA02bSgbJiwnAE
• https://irp.fas.org/doddir/milmed/bandage.pdf
• Department of the Army Field Manual (1957). Bandaging and Splinting
• Hospital Corpsman Revised Edition- Complete Navy Nursing Manual for Hospital Training
Purposes. https://medical.tpub.com/14295/css/Figure-312-Triangular-Bandage-For-The-Head-
121.htm
• Karren, K. J. (2012). First aid for colleges and Universities (8th ed.). Benjamin Cummings.