First Aid Bandaging

1. Chapter 10
Bandaging Wounds

2. Dressings
• A dressing covers an open wound and
touches the wound.
• Dressings should be:
– Sterile
– Larger than the wound
– Thick, soft, and compressible
– Lint free

3. Dressings
• Purpose of a dressing:
– Control bleeding
– Prevent infection and contamination
– Absorb blood and drainage
– Protect wound

4. Types of Dressings
• Gauze pads
− For small wounds
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

5. Types of Dressings
• Adhesive bandages
− Small cuts and abrasions
• Trauma dressings
− Large, thick, absorbent © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

6. Improvised Dressings
• Should be:
– Clean
– Absorbent
– Soft
– As free of lint as possible

7. Applying a Sterile Dressing
• Wash hands and wear exam gloves.
• Use dressing large enough to extend
beyond edges of wound.
• Hold dressing by one corner and place
over wound.
• Cover with bandage.

8. Bandages
• Should be clean but need not be sterile
• Can be used to:
– Hold a dressing in place.
– Apply direct pressure.
– Prevent or reduce swelling.
– Provide support and stability for an extremity
or joint.

9. Bandages
• Signs that a bandage may be too tight:
– Blue tinge on fingernails or toenails
– Blue or pale skin color
– Tingling, loss of sensation
– Coldness of extremity
– Inability to move fingers or toes
– Pulse felt before bandaging, but not after

10. Types of Bandages
• Roller bandages
– Various widths,
lengths, and types
of material
• Self-adhering,
conforming
bandages
– Elastic, gauzelike
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

11. Types of Bandages
• Gauze rollers
– Nonelastic cotton
• Elastic roller
bandages
– Provide compression
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

12. Types of Bandages
• Triangular
bandages
– Slings
– Cravats
• Adhesive tape and
bandages
© Jones & Bartlett Learning.

13. Applying a Cravat Bandage
to the Head
• Place middle of bandage over the dressing
and wrap around the head.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

14. Applying a Cravat Bandage
to the Head
• Cross the two ends snugly.
• Bring ends back around and tie knot.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

15. Applying a Cravat Bandage to
the Arm or Leg
• Wrap center of bandage over the dressing.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

16. Applying a Cravat Bandage to
the Arm or Leg
• Turn one end going up the extremity and
the other end going down.
• Tie bandage off over dressing.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

17. Applying a Cravat Bandage to
Palm of Hand
• Fill palm with bulky dressing or pad, and
close fingers.
• Wrap one end around fingers, other
around wrist.
© Jones & Bartlett Learning. © Jones & Bartlett Learning.

18. Applying a Cravat Bandage to
Palm of Hand
• Wrap bandage, crossing over fingers and
around wrist.
• Tie bandage off at the wrist.
© Jones & Bartlett Learning. © Jones & Bartlett Learning.

19. Applying a Roller Bandage:
Spiral Method
• Start at narrow part of an arm or a leg and
wrap upward.
• Make two straight, anchoring turns.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

20. Applying a Roller Bandage:
Spiral Method
• Make overlapping crisscross turns.
• Finish with two straight turns and secure.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

21. Applying a Roller Bandage:
Figure-Eight Method
• For elbow or knee:
– Make two straight turns over joint.
– Make one turn above joint; overlap first turn.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

22. Applying a Roller Bandage:
Figure-Eight Method
• For elbow or knee (cont’d)
– Make one turn below joint; overlap first
straight turn.
– Continue alternating turns.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

23. Applying a Roller Bandage:
Figure-Eight Method
• For elbow or knee (cont’d):
– Finish with two straight turns to secure end.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

24. Applying a Roller Bandage:
Figure-Eight Method
• For hand:
– Make two straight turns around palm.
– Carry bandage diagonally across back of
hand, around wrist, and back across palm.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

25. Applying a Roller Bandage:
Figure-Eight Method
• For hand (cont’d):
– Make several
figure-eight turns,
overlapping each.
– Finish with two
straight turns
around wrist;
secure end. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

26. Applying a Roller Bandage:
Figure-Eight Method
• For ankle:
– Make two straight turns around instep.
– Make figure-eight turn across front of foot,
around ankle, and under arch.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

27. Applying a Roller Bandage:
Figure-Eight Method
• For ankle (cont’d):
– Make several figure-eight turns, overlapping
each turn and advancing up the leg.
– Finish with two straight
turns around leg;
secure end.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

28. Securing a Roller Bandage
• Adhesive tape
• Safety pins
• Clips provided with
bandage
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

29. Loop Method of Securing Bandages
• Loop tape around
thumb or finger and
work backward.
• Encircle body part
with the looped and
free ends and tie
together.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

30. Split-Tail Method of Securing
Bandages
• Split end of bandage
lengthwise.
– Knot to prevent further
splitting.
• Wrap ends in opposite
directions around body
part and tie together.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

31. Applying an Adhesive Bandage
• Remove wrapping,
and hold by protective
strips.
• Peel back protective
strips, and place on
wound.
• Pull away protective
strips, and press ends
and edges down.
© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.