The right way to apply different kinds of bandages

Different injuries call for different bandages. Learn these different kinds now, so you can act quickly when the moment comes.

• When applying a bandage, make sure the person is comfortable and tell them what you're doing.
• Work from the side of the affected part, not reaching across the patient.
• If you're bandaging an arm or leg, leave fingers and toes exposed so you can tell if it's interfering with circulation. If fingers or toes are cold with a bluish tinge to the nail beds, or the patient complains of tingling, loosen the wrap.
• A bandage should be applied firmly, not tightly. Remember that the affected part may swell after being bandaged, so the wrap may need to be loosened or retied.
• Elbows and knees should be bound in a slightly bent position.
• Always keep bandages clean and dry.

Roller bandages are long strips of cotton, gauze, elasticated fabric or linen. They're used to secure dressings and support injured limbs.

• Bandages made of open-weave material allow air to get through. They don't put pressure on wounds and don't support joints.
• Elasticated bandages, which mould to the contours of the body, are used to secure dressings and support soft tissue injuries, such as sprains.
• Bandages made of crepe are used to support injured joints.

The spiral is used to wrap cylindrical parts of the body such as the lower leg and forearm.

1. Start below the wound and apply one or two firm turns directly around the limb.
2. Wind the bandage around and around in a spiral, with each turn overlapping the last by a half to three-quarters.
3. Make a straight turn and fix the end with a safety pin or sticky tape.

This method is used to apply bandages to large joints such as elbows and knees. It holds a dressing in place on a wound, or supports a sprain or strain.

1. Flex the joint slightly. Place the end on the inside of the joint and, working away from the body, make two straight turns to hold it in place.
2. Make alternate figure-of-eight turns above and below the joint. Each turn should overlap the previous one by about two-thirds.
3. Extend the bandage quite far on each side of the joint. Make a last straight full turn over the preceding one. Fold in the end and fix with a safety pin or sticky tape.

• These are seamless tubes of fabric, which come in different sizes and types for different parts of the body.
• Elasticated ones can be used to support joints such as the ankle.
• Tubular bandages made of gauze are used to hold dressings on fingers or toes.
• Smaller tubular bandages are best put on using a specially designed applicator.

These are normal bandages that come folded into a triangle shape. They can be used as large dressings, as slings to support a limb or to secure a dressing in place. You can also use a household item such as a scarf to make a triangular bandage.

1. Before using a triangular bandage as a dressing — or to secure a dressing — fold it so that the point of the triangle touches the middle of the long edge.
2. Then fold it in half again in the same direction to make a broad strip. You can now use the spiral technique to secure the strip in place.

When treating an injury, bandage selection is vital. Be aware of the different uses of various wraps, and make your choice accordingly. Remember that the person still needs professional medical attention after you've finished the bandage.