APPLICATION OF VARIOUS
BANDAGES
OBJECTIVES
• By the end of the lesson students will be able
to;
State the rules of bandaging
Apply bandage using the various methods
INTRODUCTION
• The proper bandage properly applied can aid the
recovery of a patient.
• A carelessly or improperly applied bandage can cause
discomfort to the patient:
• In many instances it may expose the patient to danger of
infection, it may even jeopardize the life of the patient.
• It is essential therefore that all health care providers and
first aiders become familiar with the various bandages
and to be able to apply them properly.
• NB; Technique of bandaging can be mastered only by
constant practice
WHAT IS A BANDAGE?
• Bandage is any material
that is used to hold the
dressing in place and
provides pressure to the
wound.
• Unlike dressings,
bandages may not be
sterile.
USES OF BANDAGES
Hold a dressing in place over a wound.
To create pressure over a bleeding wound for
control of haemorrhage.
To secure a splint to an injured part of the
body.
To provide support to an injured part.
Reduce swelling
TYPES OF
BANDAGES
A. Roller bandage
• 1. Open weave; allows
ventilation and are used to
secure dressings.
• NB; this type cannot be used
to exert pressure or support
limbs e.g gauze bandage.
• 2. Elasticated; mould to the
shape of the body and are
used to support soft tissue
injuries and secure dressings.
• 3. Crepe; provide firm
support to injured parts.
TYPES OF
BANDAGES
B. Triangular
bandage/cravat
C. Tube bandage
D. Many tail bandage
E. T bandage etc.
PARTS OF A ROLLER BANDAGE
• Head ; being the rolled
up part.
• Tail ; being the tip of
the bandage
RULES OF BANDAGING
• 1. Apply the outer side
of the tail of the
bandage to the injured
part.
• 2. Bandage limbs from
below upwards and
from within outwards.
• 3. Apply a bandage so
that each layer covers
two-thirds of the
previous one.
RULES OF BANDAGING
• 4. Never bandage without having previously
applied a pad of cotton wool.
• Such a pad should be applied around a limb or
a finger.
The cotton wool prevents compression of the
veins and still allows the bandaging to be firm.
If there is a wound, gauze should be placed
over it before the cotton wool is applied.
RULES OF BANDAGING
• 5. Stand in front of the
hand or foot when
bandaging a limb.
RULES OF BANDAGING
• 6. In dressing a limb or
fixing a splint do not
cover the tips of the
fingers or toes;
 they are a useful guide
to whether the bandage
is too tight.
• 7. Blueness of the nails
and swelling or
numbness of the fingers
indicate the need to
loosen the bandage.
RULES OF BANDAGING
• 8. Make all reverses or
crossings in a line on
the outer side of the
limb.
RULES OF BANDAGING
• 9. When bandaging the
elbow keep it at right
angles and
 make sure that a large pad
of cotton wool is placed
round the joint to avoid
constricting the blood
vessels.
• 10. When bandaging the
knee keep it slightly bent.
• 11. Complete the bandage
with a safety-pin or a
narrow strip of adhesive
plaster.
RULES OF
BANDAGING
12. Use reef knots to tie
bandages. Do not tie a
knot over a bony area.
13. Regularly check the
circulation to the
extremity of a bandaged
limb (every 10minutes)
and loosen the bandage if
necessary.
RULES OF BANDAGING
14. Press one of the nails
or the skin of the hand or
foot until it is pale.
 If on releasing the
pressure and the colour
does not return or
returns slowly, the
bandage may be too
tight.
RULES OF BANDAGING
15. Loose tight bandages
by unrolling just enough
turns for warmth and
colour to return to the
extremities. (The casualty
may feel a tingle
sensation).
 Re apply the bandage as
necessary.
Choosing the correct size of bandage
• Before applying a roller bandage, make sure that
it is tightly rolled and of a suitable width.
Different parts of the body require different
widths of roller bandage.
• The recommended sizes for adults are;
• Finger
2.5cm (1inch)
• Hand
5cm (2inches)
• Arm
7.5cm – 10cm (3 – 4inches)
• Leg
10cm – 15cm (4 – 6) inches.
Choosing the correct size of bandage
METHODS OF APPLICATION
• There are five general
methods of applying
roller bandages:
• 1.Circular turns
• Simply encircle the part
with each layer of
bandage super imposed
on the previous one.
• It is the simplest. It can
be used at the toe and
head.
METHODS OF APPLICATION
2. Spiral turns
• Place the tail of the
bandage below the injury.
• Make two straight turns
with the head of the
bandage to hold it in place.
• Make series of spiralling
turns and make sure that
each turn covers between
half and two-thirds of the
previous layer.
METHODS OF APPLICATION
• Spiral turns
• Finish off with one
straight turn and secure
the end.
• If the bandage is too
short, apply another
one in the same way to
extend it.
• Regularly check the
circulation to the
extremity of the injured
METHODS OF APPLICATION
• 3.Reverse spiral
• 4.Figure-8
METHODS OF APPLICATION
• Figure – of – eight turn
• This can be used for the
hand, wrist and ankle.
• In bandaging the hand
and wrist for example;
• Fix the bandage with one
or two turns around the
palm of the hand.
• Carry it diagonally across
the front of the wrist and
around the wrist.
METHODS OF APPLICATION
• Again carry it diagonally
across the front of the
wrist and back to the
palm.
• The procedure can be
repeated as many times
as is necessary to fix the
dressing properly.
• Complete by tying off.
METHODS OF APPLICATION
• 5.Recurrent fold
• This is a series of back
and forth turns called
recurrent turns, held in
place by circular and
spiral turns.
• It is secured by tying of
(reef knot).
• It is used to bandage
fingers, toes, scalp or
stumps of limbs.
METHODS OF APPLICATION
• 5.Recurrent fold
METHODS OF APPLICATION
• Arm sling
• Triangular bandages are
used for arm sling.
• Place one end of the
bandage over the
uninjured shoulder and
let the other end hang
down in front of the chest
to the side of the body.
• Carry the point behind
the elbow of the injured
arm.
METHODS OF APPLICATION
• Arm sling
• Carry the second end of
the bandage up over
the shoulder and tie the
two ends using a reef
knot (not over the
injured part).
• Bring the point of the
bandage forward and
pin it to the front of the
sling.
BANDAGE OF JAW
RECURRENT BANDAGE OF HEAD WITH
ONE BANDAGE
FASTENING THE BANDAGE
TRIANGLE OF FOREHEAD OR SCALP