What are the different types of
bandages?
There are three main types of bandages:

Roller bandages: use these to support injured limbs, limit swelling,
maintain pressure on wounds and hold dressings in place. They can be
used particularly for ankles, knees, wrists or elbows.

Tubular bandages: use these to support injured joints and hold
dressings on fingers or toes. You can use gauze tubular bandage to
secure dressings on toes and fingers and is applied to the injury with a
special applicator. You can use elasticated tubular bandages to support
injured joints such as the elbow or knee.

Triangular bandages: use these as slings to support a wrist, arm or
shoulder injury, and as a bandage and dressing when folded for large
wounds. Find out how to make an arm sling.
What to do
1. Reassure them and explain what you’re going to do.
o
Help them to sit or lie in a comfortable position.
o
Support the limb or injured part of the body before applying the
bandage.
2. Start bandaging from the front and injured side of the casualty. Apply the
bandage firmly, but not so tight that it’s restricting circulation.
o
Leave fingers and toes exposed to help you check their circulation.
3. Use spiral turns when wrapping the bandage around the limb, working from
the inside to the outside of the limb.
4. Use pins or tape to fasten roller bandages. Otherwise you can tuck the
bandage in securely.
5. Use a reef knot to tie a triangular bandage: right over left and under, then left
over right and under.
6. Once you’ve finished tying the bandage, make sure you check for circulation
by pressing on their finger or toe for five seconds until it goes pale.
o
o
If the colour doesn’t come back after two seconds, then the bandage is
too tight, and you will need to reapply more loosely.
Check the circulation every 10 minutes.