Bandage Wrapping - Bandaging Techniques

A bandage is a material used to provide support either to a medical dressing or an injured part of
the body. Bandages, ranging from cloth strips to specialized bandages used for a particular body
part, are important components of your first aid kit. Very often the word bandage is used to refer
to a dressing used on a wound. There are various bandaging techniques, each specifically
targeting a particular area or a particular type of ailment.

Bandage Wrapping
Bandage wrapping is the process wherein a circular role of bandage is firmly rolled around the
limb, most often to support dressing, or stop bleeding. To wrap the bandage on the limb, hold it
transversely in the hand, and start rolling it around the limb with the outer side of the bandage
roll applied to the inner side of the limb. The bandage has to be rolled from the inner side to the
outer side. Though rare, in some cases, it is rolled upwards from below. The pressure on the part
of the body being bandaged should be uniform. Once the rolling is done, the end of the bandage
can be secured either by applying a safety pin or by giving it a slit and tying it around the limb.

The various reasons for applying bandages are:

• Bandaging helps the dressing to stay firmly on the wound.

• Bandaging is an effective technique to support a hurt joint.
• Bandage wrapping helps to reduce swelling.
• In case of a wound, bandaging helps to stop bleeding.
• Bandaging helps to restrict the movement of an injured body part.

Bandaging Techniques
The use of various bandaging techniques are determined based on the reason for which
bandaging is required. The three most commonly used techniques of bandaging are spiral
technique, ascending spica technique and diverging spica technique.

Spiral Bandaging
Spiral bandaging is the simplest of the roller bandaging techniques. While rolling the bandage, in
this method, the turns are done in spiral method, wherein each turn covers the two-third part of
the preceding turn. Spiral technique of bandaging is most often used on body parts with uniform
circumference, such as leg or forearm.
Diverging Spica or Reverse Spiral Bandaging
Diverging spica technique is most often used on body parts with varying circumference.
Although the turns are made in spiral direction in this technique, the bandage is reversed on itself
so that it stays firm on body parts with varying perimeters. Once the bandage is secured, after a
few spiral binds, the bandage is rolled with the thumb being placed over the lower border of the
bandage on the outer side of the limb. Eventually the bandage is reversed downwards, and after
passing it over the fixed thumb it is carried to the opposite side from under the limb, and rolled in
reverse spiral technique above the preceding bandage wrap.

Ascending Spica or Figure Eight Bandaging

Ascending spica is considered to be the most useful roller bandaging technique. In
this method, the bandage is alternately passed upwards and downwards over and
under the limb, roughly resembling the figure 8 with each double turn. This
bandaging technique is most often used over the joints, in case of problems such as
joint sprains.

Basic knowledge about how to wrap bandage in various techniques, and the
utilization of each of these techniques, can prove to be of great help in situations of
emergency. Most often, we tie the bandage in circular method, wherein each turn
covers the preceding turn, until the bandage is firmly secured, but the above
mentioned bandaging techniques prove to be much more effective, when it comes
to a speedy recovery.

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Bandaging

Bandages have three key uses: applying pressure to

bleeding wounds; covering wounds and burns; and
providing support and immobilization for broken
bones, sprains, and strains. The three main types are
triangular, Ace, and tubular.

TYPES OF BANDAGE

Triangular bandages

Made from cloth or from paper, these are exceptionally versatile. When they
are made into a pad they can be used as a cold compress or for padding. When
folded up they can be used to provide support or pressure; when unfolded they
can be used as a support sling or cover bandage.

Ace bandages

Used to provide support or secure dressings in place.

Tubular bandages

Larger ones are used to support joints or hold dressings in place, smaller
tubular bandages are ideal for finger injuries.

General Principles of Bandaging

1. Work with the injured person, explaining what you are doing.

2. Work in front of the injured person where possible and from the injured
side if you can.

3. Bandage firmly over bleeding and securely over broken bones, but not
so tight as to compromise circulation below the site of the injury.

4. When wrapping bandages around an injured person, use the body’s

natural hollows such as the knees, ankles, neck, and small of the back
to slide the bandages gently into place.

5. Be aware that most injuries swell—check regularly to ensure that the

bandage is still comfortable. Also check that the bandage remains
firmly secured, particularly if the injured person has to move, as
movement can loosen the bandage.

6. Secure bandages with tape, clips, a bow, or a square knot.

7. Make sure that bandages, especially knots, do not press into the skin.
Place padding between the bandaging and the skin as necessary.

TRIANGULAR BANDAGES

These are amongst the most versatile of all items of first aid equipment.
Usually made of washable cotton, they are also available in a disposable paper
form. In its open form, a triangular bandage can be used as a sling or as a cover
bandage.

TO USE AS A COLD COMPRESS OR PADDING OR TO APPLY

PRESSURE WITH A DRESSING
 1. Used a narrow fold bandage.

2. Fold the two ends into the middle.

3. Keep folding the ends into the middle until the size is appropriate for
use. Bandages are best stored in this way in a plastic bag in a dry place.

USING A TRIANGULAR BANDAGE

Making a broad fold to support broken bones or

hold dressings loosely in place

1. To make a broad fold, fold the point to the base

of the bandage.

2. Fold the bandage in half again. This is a broad

fold.

Making a narrow fold to control bleeding

1. To make a narrow fold, fold a broad fold in half again. This is a narrow
fold.

TYING A SQUARE KNOT

When you tie a bandage, it is best to do so with a square knot. Square knots lie
flat, so they do not press into the injured person, and they are easy to untie.
Alternative fastenings include tying a bow, using a pin, securing with tape, or
using a clip.

1. Pass the right end of the bandage over the left and tuck it under.

2. Bring both ends alongside each other.

3. Pass the left end over the right and tuck it under.

4. Pull both ends firmly to complete the knot.

FOOT COVER BANDAGE

1. Fold a hem along the base of the triangular bandage. Place the victim’s
foot on the bandage and bring the point down toward the victim’s
ankle.
 2. Fold the bandage up over the foot.

3. Fold the two ends of the bandage around the ankle and tie loosely.

4. Pull the point of the bandage over the knot and tuck it away. The victim
may find it comfortable to have the foot in an elevation sling.

ACE BANDAGES
Ace bandages are used to secure dressings or to provide support, particularly to
sprains and strains. They are usually made of cotton, gauze, or linen and are
secured in place with pins or tape.

TYPES OF ACE BANDAGE

There are three key types of Ace bandage, as pictured right:

Ace bandages come in a variety of sizes. For an adult, the following are
recommended widths for different parts of the body:

Finger: ½ inch;
Hand: 1 inch;
Arm: 1 ½-2 inches;
Leg: 2-3 inches

Open-weave

Best used for applying light dressings

Conforming

Used for securing dressings and providing support

Crepe

Used for support, particularly for joint sprains

HOW TO APPLY AN ACE BANDAGE

1. Partly unroll the bandage.

2. Place the unrolled end below the injury and do two complete turns
around the limb to secure the bandage in place.

3. Bandage up the limb, using spiral turns. Be aware that conforming and
crepe bandages mold to the shape of the body and while they should be
applied firmly, take care not to over-stretch the bandage as this may
 impair circulation.

4. Finish off with a single turn and secure in place. Secure with tape, clip,
or by tying off.

5. To tie off an Ace bandage, leave enough length to do complete turns of

the limb. Cut down the middle of the bandage. Tie a knot at the bottom
of the split and place both ends around the limb, one in each direction.
Tie them in a bow or a square knot.

APPLYING TUBULAR GAUZE

These bandages come in several sizes. The smallest

size is used to hold dressings on to fingers and toes. It
comes with its own applicator and is best secured with
tape.

1. Cut two and half times the length of the finger

or toe to be bandaged and push all of this on to
the applicator.

2. Place the dressing over the wound. Slide the applicator over the finger
or toe.

3. Hold the gauze at the base of the finger or toe and pull the applicator
upward, covering the finger or toe with one layer of gauze.

4. Above the finger or toe, twist the applicator twice and then push it back
down, covering the finger or toe with another layer of gauze.

5. Tape the gauze in place.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF REDUCED CIRCULATION

 Pale skin, becoming blue

 Skin feeling cold to the touch
 Injured person complains of tingling or loss of feeling
 Weak or slow pulse in an injured limb
 Slow capillary refill below the site of the bandage

1. Look and feel for the signs and symptoms of reduced circulation. When
bandaging, leave an area of skin exposed below the site of the injury to
enable regular checks of circulation.

2. Ask the injured person to report any tingling or loss of feeling.

3. Gently squeeze the skin or the nail bed below the site injury and
 bandaging until the color disappears from the skin. When pressure is
released, the color should return swiftly (color returns as the small
blood vessels, the capillaries, refill with blood). If color does not return
quickly, circulation may be restricted.

If there are signs that circulation is restricted, gently loosen the bandage (s). If
the bandage is covering a wound or burn, do not remove dressings. If it is
supporting a broken bone, take care to support the injury as you loosen and re-
tie the bandage.

CHECKING CIRCULATION

Bandages can cut off circulation, particularly as the injury swells. Check
circulation below the site of the bandaging immediately after treatment and
every 10 minutes thereafter.