I. BANDAGING INTRODUCTION The proper application of bandage can aid materially in the recovery of a patient.

A carelessly or improperly applied bandage can cause discomfort to the patient, and may expose the wound to danger or infection or may put the life of the patient in danger.

USES OF BANDAGE: To hold a dressing in place over a wound To create pressure over a bleeding wound for control of hemorrhage To secure a splint to an injured part of the body To provide support to an injured part

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BANDAGING 1. Never apply directly over a wound Only to hold dressing in place which covers the wound 2. Apply firmly and fastened securely > If applied tightly it could stop blood circulation, if loosely, it could slip the dressing out of place

MATERIALS: Gauze-light, soft and porous, can be easily adjusted and applied Muslin most commonly used ; is strong, inexpensive and can be readily obtained, can be easily torn into strips of the desired width, excellent use for practice Crinoline used for making plaster of Paris Rubber Elastic webbing-used to support a body part

Triangular Bandage Used for the temporary or permanent bandaging of wounds For the immobilization of fractures and dislocations As a sling for the support of an injured part of the body They can be made by simply cutting it diagonally the 60 inch square of a piece of cloth, thereby, making two triangular bandages

>The longer side of the triangular bandage is called the base with both corners called ends and the corner opposite to the base is called apex.

How to make a cravat: Procedure: Following the illustration through steps put the apex of the triangular bandage to the middle of the base and continue folding until two (2) inches width is obtained as illustrated.

TYPES OF BANDAGES 1. A. CRAVAT OF HEAD OR EAR To control hemorrhage from wounds of scalp or to hold dressings on wounds of ear or lower ear PROCEDURE:
STEP 1

> Cover the wound with a dressing and place the middle of the bandage over the wound as illustrated

 STEP 2

Cross both ends of the bandage and gently pull and wrap them in opposite directions around the head as illustrated STEP 3 As illustrated below, tie both ends in square knot, making sure that it is fully tight.

REVIEW: 1. Place middle of cravat over dressing 2. Pass each end completely over head 3. Tie in square knot

B. Triangle of forehead or scalp/head topside Use to hold dressings on the forehead or scalp PROCEDURE: STEP 1 In applying open phase bandage for the head, make a hem by folding about 2 inches from the base

 STEP 2

> With the hem positioned on the outside, put the middle portion of the bandages base on the forehead just half a finger above the eyebrows, at the same time allowing the apex to fall over the head and down over at the back of the head.

 STEP 3

> Put the ends of the triangular bandage at the back of the head of about half of an inch above the ears, crossing them over the apex and bring it back towards the forehead and tie it in square knot.

 STEP 4

> Firmly hold the compress portion by a hand with the other hand gently pulling down gently the apex making the compress snug; then bring the apex up and tuck it in over and in the bandage where it should cross at the back of the head.

2. Triangle of chest or back Applied when there is wound on either right or left chest of the victim PROCEDURE: STEP 1 Position the triangular bandage on the top of the dressing of the chest with the apex just below the armpit.

 STEP 2

> Gently pull the apex and the other end of the bandage passing around the armpit towards the back of the victim and tie it in square knot, be sure to leave extra length for extra tying.

 STEP 3

> Extend the other end of the bandage at the top of the shoulder by tying additional handkerchief to it in cravat using square knot.

 STEP 4

> Tie the handkerchief to the extra remaining end of either apex or end corner in square knot.

3. TRIANGULAR ARM SLING Applied when there is fracture on either left or right forearm of the victim) PROCEDURE: STEP 1 > Put the apex of the triangular bandage below the armpit with one of the two (2) ends at the top of the shoulder.

 STEP 2

> Bring the lower ends of the triangular bandage (positioned below) over the arm at the top of the shoulder around the back of the neck over

 STEP 3 Tie both ends using the

square knot and twists the apex and tuck the corner of the sling at the elbow.

4. UNDER ARMSLING Applied when there is dislocation on either left or right elbow of the victim PROCEDURE: STEP 1 Same with step 1 of the arm sling, place the apex corner of the triangular bandage below the armpit with one of the two (2) ends at the top of the shoulder.

 STEP 2 Bring the lower end

of the triangular bandage over the arm passing through under the armpit towards the back of the neck.

 STEP 3.

> Tie both ends at the bandage using the square knot.

5. Triangle of ELBOW Use to hold dressings around the elbow Applied when there is sprain on either right or left elbow of the victim PROCEDURE: STEP 1
To apply cravat bandage to the elbow, bend the arm to approximately 90 degrees and at the elbow and place the mid-portion of the cravat bandage at the elbow bringing and holding the ends of the bandage upwards as illustrated.

 STEP 2 As illustrated, cross both

bandage ends and gently rolled extending both ends downward.

 STEP 3 Roll both ends gently

around the arm and pull both ends opposite the elbow and tie it in square knot.

6. Triangle of Hand Applied when there is burned on the hand PROCEDURE: STEP 1
Place the wounded hand

in the middle portion of the triangular bandage; be sure that the wrist is aligned at the base of the bandage. Also, be sure that the finger are separated from each other by inserting absorbent materials in between fingers, the process will prevent the fingers from chaffing and skin irritation.

 STEP 2

> Cover the fingers by placing the apex on top of the hand and tuck the excess parts of the bandage underneath the fingers and form pleats on every side of both ends as illustrated.

 STEP 3

> Bring one of the ends on the top of the hand and take it around the wrist. STEP 4 The same as step 3 bring the other end on the top of the hand around the wrist.

 STEP 5 Tie both ends using the

square knot and hide ends by inserting it to the bandage.

7. CRAVAT OF KNEE Used to hold dressings around the knee Applied when there is wound in either right or left knee of the victim

PROCEDURE: STEP 1 To apply cravat bandage to the knee as illustrated below used the same steps and technique applied in bandaging the elbow. Bend the leg to approximately 90 degrees at the knee and place the middle of the cravat bandage at the upper portion of the knee bringing and holding both ends of the bandage downward.

 STEP 2 Cross both bandage

ends and gently rolled extending both ends downwards.

 STEP 3 After rolling the bandage,

at the same time pull both ends, tie both ends tightly opposite the knee in square knot, and tuck in the remaining ends.

SPLINTING A splint is a device used for holding a part of the body stable to decrease pain and prevent further injury. The purpose of a splint is to hold still and protect a wounded body part from further damage until you get medical help. It is important to check for good circulation after the injured body part has been immobilized.

REMEMBER: DO NOT make any attempts to change the position of, or realign, an injured body part. Be careful when placing a splint to avoid causing more injuries. Be sure to pad the splint well to avoid putting extra pressure on the injured limb. If the injury is more painful after placing the splint, remove the splint and seek medical assistance immediately