First Aid

Dressings
and
Bandages
Dressings
*Covers
an open
wound.
*Touches
the
wound
Dressings Should be:
 Sterile
 Larger than
wound
 Thick, soft
and
compressible
 Lint free
Dressings: Purpose
 Control bleeding
 Prevent infection
 Absorb blood and
wound drainage
 Protect wound
from further injury
Dressings: DO NOT
*Use cotton balls
as dressings DO…..

*Remove a blood Soak a

soaked dressing dressing
until the bleeding
stops
off if
*Pull off a dressing stuck to
stuck to a wound wound
Dressings: Types
Gauze Pads
*Used for small
wounds 4x4
*Various sizes
*Some have
nonstick surface
Dressings: Types

Adhesive
Strips
*Band-aids
*Used for small cuts
*Combination
dressing and
bandage
Dressings: Types
Trauma
Dressing
*Also called ABD
pads
*Large, thick,
absorbent
*Can use sanitary
pads (not sterile)
Dressings: What To Do
*Wash hands
(if possible)
*Place dsg
directly over
wound
*Cover with
bandage
Bandages: Purpose
*Holds a dsg in place
Wrap
*Apply direct
pressure over toward
wound the
*Prevents or
reduces swelling
*Provides support or
stability
Bandages: DO NOT
*Apply directly over
wound
(apply dsg 1st)
*Bandage so tight it
restricts blood flow
*Bandages so loose,
the dsg slips
Bandages: DO NOT
*Have loose ends
*Cover fingers or

X
toes (unless they
are injured)
*Use elastic wrap
*Apply around neck
Bandages:
Signs that the Bandage is too Tight
*Blue color to
fingers or toes
*Tingling or loss of
Check
sensation pulse
*Extremity coldness below
*Inability to move dressing
fingers or toes
Bandages: Types
Roller
Bandages
*Various
widths and
lengths
*Kling
*Kerlex
Bandages: Types
Triangular
Bandages
36 - 40 inch
square of cotton
cut diagonally
“Cravat”
Bandages: Types
Adhesive Tape
Varies widths,
lengths and
material
Bandages: Types
Adhesive
Strips
Used for small
cuts
Band-aids
Combination
dressing and
bandage
Fractures: DOTS
Deformity Not always obvious.
Compare
Open wound

Tenderness

Swelling
Fractures: What To Do

Check and treat

ABCs
Tx for shock
Gently remove
clothing covering
injured site
LAF
Fractures: What To Do

LAF:
Look Look at injured site.
Swelling? Brusiing?
Damaged skin?
And

Gently press, feel for

Feel deformity, tenderness
Fractures: What To Do
Check circulation,
nerves:
Arm: Radial pulse
Leg: Post tib pulse
Sensation: squeeze fingers,
toes
Movement: Wiggle fingers,
toes
Fractures: What To Do

RICE
Rest Injuries heal faster with rest.
Ice For 20 - 30 minutes q 2 - 3 hours
for first 24 - 48 hours
Compress With Ace bandage.
Wrap toward the heart

Elevate After stabilized

Fractures: What To Do
Stabilize with splint
Stabilize: limit
movement
 Reduces pain
 Prevents damage to
muscles,nerves
and blood vessels
 Reduces bleeding
and swelling
Types of Splints
Improvised
Folded newspaper,
piece of wood,
another body part

Commercially
prepared
Splints
Stabilize before
moving
Splint in position
found
Cover wounds
before applying
splint
Splints
Check pulses, if
no pulse: try to
straighten
extremity to
restore blood flow.

Stabilize above
and below injury
Splints
Use cravats if
possible
Tie firmly but not too
tight
Check pulse after
each cravat is tied
Leave fingers or
toes exposed
Splints
RICE after splint
is applied
SMA
immediately if
no pulse in
injured
extremity