BANDAGING
A bandage is a strip of cloth used to wrap some part of the body. Bandages are
available in various widths, most commonly 1.5 to 7.5 cm. They are usually
supplied in rolls for easy application to a body part
Many types of materials are used for bandages. Gauze is one of the most
commonly used, because it is light and porous and readily molds to the body.
The width of the bandage used depends on the size of the body part to be
bandaged;
2.5-cm bandage is used for a finger
5-cm bandage for an arm
7.5- 10-cm bandage for a leg.
USES
1) Secure dressings
2) Control bleeding
3) Support and immobilize injured limbs
4) Reduce swelling in an injured part
TYPES
1) Roller bandages; secure dressings and support injured limbs
2) Tubular bandages; hold dressings
3) Triangular bandages; used as large dressings, as slings to secure dressings or
immobilize limbs.
Roller bandages
These bandages are made of cotton, gauze, elastic fabric and are wrapped around
the injured part in spiral turns. There are 2 main types of roller bandage
i. Open weave
ii. Crepe bandages
METHODS OF APPLYING BANDAGE
Applying bandages to various parts of the body involves one or more of five basic
bandaging turns
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i. Circular
ii. Spiral
iii. Spiral reverse
iv. Recurrent
v. Figure-eight.
Circular turns
• Hold the bandage in your dominant hand, keeping the roll uppermost, and unroll
the bandage about 8 cm.
• Apply the end of the bandage to the part of the body to be bandaged. Hold the
end down with the thumb of the other hand
• Encircle the body part a few times or as often as needed to provide support
• The bandage should be firm, but not too tight. Ask the client if the bandage feels
comfortable.
• Secure the end of the bandage with tape or clips
Spiral turns
This method is used to bandage parts of the body that are fairly uniform in
circumference, for example, the upper arm or upper leg.
Make two circular turns. Two circular turns anchor the bandage.
• Continue spiral turns, each turn overlapping the preceding one by 2/3 the width of
the bandage
• Terminate the bandage with two circular turns, and secure the end
Spiral reverse turns
This method is used to bandage cylindrical parts of the body that are not uniform in
circumference, for example, the lower leg or forearm
• Anchor the bandage with two circular turns
• Place the thumb of your free hand on the upper edge of the bandage. The thumb
will hold the bandage while it is folded on itself.
• Unroll the bandage and then turn your hand so that the bandage falls over itself
• Continue wrapping the bandage around the limb, overlapping each previous turn
by two thirds the width of the bandage. Make each bandage turn at the same
position on the limb so that the turns of the bandage will be aligned
• Terminate the bandage with two circular turns
Recurrent turns
This method is used to bandage distal parts of the body, for example, the end of a
finger, the skull, or the stump of an amputation.
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• Anchor the bandage with two circular turns.
• Fold the bandage back on itself, and bring it centrally over the distal end to be
bandaged
• Bring the bandage back over the end to the right of the center bandage but
overlapping it by two thirds the width of the bandage.
• Bring the bandage back on the left side, also overlapping the first turn by two
thirds the width of the bandage.
• Continue this pattern of alternating right and left until the area is covered.
Overlap the preceding turn by two thirds the bandage width each time.
• Terminate the bandage with two circular turns and secure it.
Figure eight turns
This method is used to bandage an elbow, knee, or ankle, because they permit
some movement after application
• Anchor the bandage with two circular turns.
• Carry the bandage above the joint, around it, and then below it, making a figure-
eight
• Continue above and below the joint, overlapping the previous turn by two thirds
the width of the bandage.
• Terminate the bandage above the joint with two circular turns, and then secure
the end appropriately
BINDER
Is a type of bandage designed for a specific body part; for example, the triangular
binder (sling) fits the arm. Binders can also be used to support large areas of the
body, such as the abdomen or chest. Binders can be simple, inexpensive, and
customizable by using plain material such as the triangular sling, or they can be of
commercial design such as the Velcro binder but are expensive.
Arm Sling
• Ask the client to flex the elbow
• If a triangle sling is used, place one end of the unfolded triangular bandage over
the shoulder of the uninjured side so that the bandage falls down the front of the
chest of the client with the point of the triangle (apex) under the elbow of the
injured side.
• Take the upper corner, and carry it around the neck until it hangs over the
shoulder on the injured side.
• Bring the lower corner of the binder up over the arm to the shoulder of the injured
side. Using a square knot, secure this corner to the upper corner at the side of the
neck on the injured side
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• Fold the sling neatly at the elbow, and secure it with safety pins or tape.
• Remove the sling periodically to inspect the skin for indications of irritation,
especially around the site of the knot.
Improvised sling
This is used when you want to support a casualty’s injured arm but you don’t have
a triangular bandage; you can use a square metre of any strong clothing or
improvise by using an item of the casualty’s clothing;
Jacket corner
Button up jacket
Long sleeved shirt
Belt or thin garment
RULES FOR APPLYING BANDAGE
Keep the injured part supported while you are working on it. Ask the
casualty or helper to do it for you
Always work at the front of the casualty and from the injured side where
possible.
Apply bandages firmly but not so tightly that they interfere with circulation
to the area beyond the bandage.
Leave fingers or toes on a bandaged limb exposed, if possible so that you
can check circulation later and regularly check blood flow distal to the
bandaged area.
Cover dressings with bandages at least 5 cm beyond the edges of the
dressing
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