BANDAGING TECHNIQUES FOR FIRST AID I. II. III. IV. I. Definition Bandaging Functions of bandages General principles of bandaging Materials used for bandaging Types of bandages a. Triangular and Cravat Bandages b. Elastic Bandages and Roller Bandages BANDAGING TECHNIQUES DEFINITION BANDAGING Bandaging Process of covering a wound or an injured body part Proper application can aid in patient recovery. Careless or improper application can cause further harm to patients. Bandaging techniques vary from each patient case, can be subdued to adjustments. FUNCTIONS Used to hold dressings. Provide pressure to prevent excessive bleeding. To secure a splint on a bone/joint injured Provide support and control on the region injured. Stabilize a segment, restrict motion of a joint, or control edema or joint effusion. GENERAL PRINCIPLES Bandage should never be applied directly over a wound Should be applied firmly and neatly. Should be fastened securely. It should follow the natural course of limb indicated for bandage. It should not gap Applied always in the direction of venous return. Be conscious of warning signs like pain and swelling. Leave tips of toes or fingers uncovered After bandaging: check for circulation (pinching the nails/cyanosis of distal aspect of the limb), tingling sensations and motor function MATERIALS USED FOR BANDAGING Gauze Muslin Flannel Crinoline Rubber and Elastic webbing Adhesive tape Stockinette Low stretch bandage Woven elastic porous cotton TYPES OF BANDAGES Triangular Bandages/ Cravat Elastic/Roller Bandages Triangular and Cravat Bandages First aid device, due to ease and speed of application Parts: o Base - the long side of the triangle o Apex - pointed side opposite the base o Ends/Extremities - the pointed ends of the base" Application of Triangular/Cravat Bandages o o o o o o o Square Knot Locking for the bandage technique Triangular Arm sling Triangle of the Foot Cravat of the Jaw Underarm Sling Triangle of the Hand Cravat of the palm Elastic Bandages May be in the form of gauzes, cotton material, or elastic wrappings Length and width vary and are used according to body part and size Applied for a variety of purposes and objectives: o Compression of acute injuries. o Secure pads when preventing and treating injuries, o Provide support and reduce ROM when preventing, treating, or rehabilitating injuries o Secure dressing or ice pack o Provide support to injured soft tissue structure o Conforms well to body contours. Application of Roller Bandages o Should be applied evenly, firmly - Prevent creases o Turns should be overlying each other to cover the entire limb o Often necessary to roll one hand to another o An extremity should be bandaged in final position o Fastening: May be tied, pinned or taped. o Check for the nervous and blood vessel integrity. Anchoring of Bandage: Initial step in application Consists of circular turns overlying each other Circular bandage Used to cover cylindrical parts and to anchor bandages Overlap from .5 to 1 inch. Spiral bandage Spiral turn;1⁄2 the width of the preceding one (50% overlapping) Used for Mild edema Reverse Spiral At the midportion of the spiral turn, twist and fold the bandage in a 90 degree turn, proceed to the next turn of the same fashion 50% overlapping Distal pressure > Proximal pressure For Moderate to Severe Edema Recurrent bandage The turns recur successively to the same point; carefully fixed to prevent displacements of the recurrent loops Used for amputation stump, hand stump, end of the finger or fist and head. Figure of 8 bandage Form in the number of open loops, interdigitating in the form of 8. Several turns are made and is then carried obliquely across the part above the joint. Shoulder Spica For anterior glenohumeral dislocation Clavicular Figure-of-8 Used for clavicular fracture (+) small towel roll under the armpit Thumb Spica For De Quervain's Tenosynovitis Prevent: positioning the thumb inside a closed fist Demigauntlet Bandage Palm and fingers exposed For holding dressings at the dorsum of the hand
