One of the most common contents of a first aid box is a bandage. Known to be useful for minor injuries which usually don’t warrant medical attention, bandages are usually available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes with each catering to different needs and situations. Following are some ways which will help you in wrapping a bandage effectively.
Difficulty level: Easy
Resources Required
1. Roller bandage
2. Clean cloth
3. Adhesive tape
4. An antiseptic lotion or cream
Instructions
1. Make it a point to always stand on the injured side of the front side of the subject whom you intend to bandage.
2. As you support the injured hand, position the bandage tail towards the inside of the wrist. Working out from inside to the outside, wrap the bandage around the wrist twice such that the tail of the bandage stays securely held in place.
3. While bandaging the wrist, always make it a point that the bandage goes diagonally across the back of the hand from the wrist’s thumb side such that it just touches the nail of the little finger.
4. Take the bandage under and across the fingers. Next, make sure that the fingertips are visible as you bandage under and across the fingers. Also make it a point that top edge of the bandage meets the base of the forefinger nail.
5. Bring the bandage around the back of the hand. As you continue, make sure that the bandage next goes diagonally across the back of the hand towards the outside of the wrist such that the following turn is straight and around the wrist with the bandage being held upwards.
6. Repeat the diagonal turns and complete bandaging with two more straight turns around the wrist. The end of the bandage is then secured with an adhesive tape.
8. After bandaging, make it a point to check the circulation of the bandaged limb as sometimes the blood circulation can be affected if bandaging is too tight. Circulation can be checked either by pressing the nails or the skin until it becomes pale. If on releasing, the color comes back within 2-3 seconds, then it implies that the bandaging has been perfectly done.
9. If at any point of time it is felt that despite loosening the bandage of the injured limb it is not being productive to the injured person’s well-being, then the bandage should be immediately removed and medical advice should be taken immediately.
Quick Tips
1. While bandaging, make it a point to pull the bandage always at the end of the circle. Take care to keep the pulling action mild without stretching the bandage too hard.
2. Always tape, clip or secure the bandage after wrapping it.
3. Bandaging should always be done to provide a mild compression to the injured body part. However, care should also be taken that it is not so tight so as to restrict circulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What precautions should be taken before bandaging the injured limb?
A: The injured limb of the body should necessarily be cleaned and dried before bandaging it.
Things To Watch Out For
1. Always clean the injury with a moistened cloth and then apply an antiseptic prior to wrapping a bandage.
2. Keep checking the circulation as you bandage. If at any point you feel that it is interfering with the subject’s circulation, immediately loosen the bandage and re-bandage.
3. Do not under any circumstances bandage tightly.