BANDAGING

A bandage is any gauze or cloth material that

purposely used for supporting, holding or
immobilizing an injured body part (Clement,
2012). Bandages are supplied in rolls for easy
application. Bandaging is the technique of
applying specific roller bandage to different
parts of the body.
 -cont-
• Bandage should be applied firmly to keep
dressing and splint in position but not too
tight to cause injury or impede circulation.
Signs of tight bandage include cyanosis and
loss of sensation
 Purpose of bandaging

• To secure dressing on a wound.

• To control bleeding by maintaining pressure
over the dressing.
• To immobilize sprained or fractured limb.
• To secure splints in case of fracture or
deformity
• To prevent or reduce swelling.
• To restrict movement.
 Types of bandages

• Roller bandage: A roller bandage is a

continuous strip of material that can be rolled
on. It is usually made of gauze or any other
material made in various sizes.
• Capelin: It is a special bandage or double
headed roller bandage used mostly applied to
the head, shoulder or to a thumb.
 Triangular bandage
• This is a piece of calico in a triangular shape.
It is largely used in first aid treatments either
as a sling or folded in various sizes for fixing
splints and dressings. Any material can be
used in an emergency.
• Four Tailed Bandage or Many Tailed Bandage:
It consists of a series of stripes 4-6 inches of
bandage of required length. It is used for the
trunk, chest, abdomen and limbs incisions. It is
used for large abdominal incisions vulnerable
to burst when the casualty coughs.
• T bandage
• Tubular gauze bandage
 Rules for Application of Bandages

• Explain the procedure to the casualty and

reassure him/her
• Place casualty in sitting or lying position.
• Face the casualty and the part to be bandaged
except in the cases of capelin or head
bandage.
• The bandage must be neatly and tightly rolled
before commencing.
• Place the limb to be bandage in position in which it
is to remain
• Unroll short length at the beginning of the
procedure.
• Hold the head or drum of the bandage in the
dominant hand and keep the rolls uppermost.
• Make a firm turn when beginning to fix the
bandage.
• Maintain even pressure throughout.
• Bandage from below upwards and from within
outwards.
• Each succeeding turn should overlap 2/3 of the
preceding turn.
• Keep the turns parallel with one another.
• The bandage should neither be too tight nor
too loose. Casualty should be asked as to the
degree of tightness he/she finds comfortable
• Where a limb is involved, ensure that the toe
nails or finger nails are exposed. Form a figure
of eight over a joint.
• Never bandage two skin surfaces together.
Add plenty of padding between the limbs and
the body and also the natural hollow places
e.g. the armpit. Padding must be placed
between the ankles, knees, armpit if body
splinting becomes necessary
• Finish with a straight turn and fasten the loose
ends neatly by stitching, using a safety pin
adhesive strapping or tie a reef knot over a
padding or dressing.
• Knots should never be tied over a fracture, not
so tight to stop circulation, never over the
sight of fracture or a bony prominence.
 Methods of applying roller bandage

• Roller bandage can be applied to various parts

of the body using any of the following five (5)
basic turns:
• Circular turns: The bandage goes straight
round the part.
 Method
Hold the bandage in the dominant hand,
keepinag the roll uppermost and unroll about
8cm (3 inches)
• Hold the end of the unrolled bandage with the
thumb of the other hand.
• Encircle the body part of few times or as often
as needed making sure that each layer over
two-thirds of the previous layer to provide.
• Secure the end of the bandage with tape or
safety pin over the injured part to avoid
exerting localized pressure and irritation.
• Simple spiral turn: They are used to bandage
parts of the body that are fairly uniform in
circumference e.g. upper arm and upper leg.
Method
• Make two circular turns to anchor the
bandage.
• Continue spiral turns at about a 30 degree
angle covering 2/3 of the previous turn.
• Terminate with two circular turns and secure
with a tape or safety pin over an injured.

• Reverse spiral: It is done by slight upward

slope. It is used mainly for cone shaped parts
such as the leg and forearm.
 Method

• Anchor the bandage with two circular turns

and bring the bandage upward at about a 30
degree angle.
• Place the thumb of your free hand on the
upper edge of the bandage. The thumb will
hold the bandage while it is folded in itself.
• Unroll the bandage about 15cm (6in) and then
turn your hand so that the bandage falls over
itself.