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Bandaging Materials
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This page is sponsored by WoundCareShop,
your on-line source for first aid supplies such as fancy bandages,
Steri-Strips, non-stick pads, gauze, and wrapping. See our link below
where individual supplies are discussed. Click
here to link to WoundCareShop to purchase
bandaging materials. |
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Fingertip Bandage The fingertip bandage has a narrow
center with wide adhesive flaps. The narrow "waist" allows it to cover a curved
surface without wrinkling. Some uses for this bandage are:
1. protecting a shallow laceration of the fingertip or thumb tip
2. covering a cut or abrasion between the fingers or toes
3. protecting a loose fingernail or toenail (partial nail avulsion)
4. covering a small chin or nose abrasion |
A laceration may be treatable at home if:
1. there is no protruding fat (see the section on injuries)
2. the laceration stops bleeding rapidly (within ten minutes)
3. the edges appear to match perfectly
4. the cut doesn't open with traction on nearby skin
5. the edges don't separate with use of the injured part
6. the area is not "tricky" or critical (such as face,
genitals or knuckle)
7. there is no numbness, weakness, or difficulty moving the injured
area
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Knuckle Bandage The knuckle bandage has four adhesive
flaps. The flaps allow the bandage to remain secure on a curved or moving area. Some uses
for this bandage are:
1. protecting a shallow laceration on a knuckle
2. covering an abrasion on a "curve" like the heel or chin
3. covering an abrasion or cut on the back of the elbow
4. covering any area where the skin stretches or moves |
Click
here to link to WoundCareShop to purchase first
aid supplies such as knuckle bandages or fingertip bandages.
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Large Plastic Bandage The large plastic bandage is used
to cover a wound of intermediate size. This usually will be a skin surface injury such an
abrasion or superficial burn. To cover and protect, the injury area must be fairly flat. |
Sample uses for this bandage could include:
1. an open wound (such as an abrasion) on the thigh
2. a scrape on the shoulder
3. a small burn on the trunk or thigh
A bandage of this type does NOT provide adequate protection for a large laceration,
because it doesn't provide any compression or traction to keep the cut closed.
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Plastic Bandage Strip A plastic bandage can be used to
cover a simple, small wound. The wound must NOT need padding or compression. A plastic
bandage should only be used over a non-moving area -- for example, the space between the
knuckles on the shaft of a finger is OK; between the fingers or over a knuckle is NOT. |
Sample uses of plastic strips include:
1. a small shallow puncture wound that is not bleeding
2. A partial thickness laceration on a finger (not over the knuckle)
3. a tiny abrasion on a non-moving area
Plastic strips are NOT appropriate for wounds where the skin stretches with motion -- for
example on the back of the elbow or underside of the wrist. They're NOT to be used on
lacerations that require intervention to close.
Cloth bandages are more flexible over moving parts. But they tend to fray and unroll
from the wound. The adhesive on a cloth bandage is more likely to leave a residue. So for
most cuts, a plastic bandage is a better choice. But where the cloth bandage works, it's
wonderful.
Laceration Closure
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Butterfly Bandage A butterfly bandage is used to pull
the edges of a short laceration together. Typically, a butterfly is used for a small cut
that tends to gape a bit. The edges of the cut must be sharp, not rough or irregular. (See
the laceration information in the injuries section.) |
Because the butterfly dressing does NOT stretch, it can only be used where the skin
will not stretch or shift while the wound heals. In general, steri-strip closure is
preferred to butterfly bandages.
To place the butterfly, the laceration edges are pushed together. The strip is placed
across the wound (long direction of the strip aiming 90 degrees opposite the long
direction of the cut). One side is pressed firmly into place, with the narrow waist lying
directly over the cut. Then the second "paddle" is pushed onto the skin. The
butterfly is left in place while the cut heals. It's usually best to protect the butterfly
by covering it with a gauze pad and a kling wrap.
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Wound Closure Tape Steri-Strips (TM 3M) are wound
closure tapes. They are ideal for partial thickness cuts. Steris are more flexible than a
butterfly bandage, and can close longer lacerations. Click
here to link to WoundCareShop to purchase first
aid supplies such as Steri-Strips. |
After cleaning the laceration, dry the surrounding skin. Apply benzoin tincture to the
skin (don't get it in the cut). Cut the strips, then push the laceration edges together.
Place strips across the wound (long direction of the strip aiming 90 degrees opposite the
long direction of the cut). Protect with gauze (without antibiotic ointment) and a wrap.
The steris can be left in place while the heals. Steri-Strips may not provide good
long-term protection in areas where the skin shifts or stretches (underside of the wrist,
back of the elbow). The only disadvantage is: they're not as easy to find as butterfly
bandages, and they're more expensive.
Dressing Pads
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Non-adherent Pad Non-adherent pads are useful to cover
open wounds such as burns and abrasions. The brand known best is Telfa. The pad keeps the
dressing from sticking to the wound. |
After cleaning the wound, antibiotic ointment is applied. Be sure the patient isn't
allergic to the antibiotic. The non-stick pad is placed next, then a gauze pad to cushion
and protect. A kling wrap keeps the gauze in place.
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Gauze Pads Gauze pads cushion and protect wounds. They
also prevent dryness in an open wound. (The gauze pad shouldn't be placed directly on an
open wound, because it will stick.) The gauze pads have a loose weave, so blood and fluids
can ooze pass through to be absorbed. Click
here to link to WoundCareShop to purchase first
aid supplies such as gauze pads. |
To construct a dressing, first place a non-stick pad. Put the gauze directly over top.
Bind it down with a roller gauze (kling wrap). If you need compression (either to prevent
swelling or bleeding, or to keep the bandage in place), add an elastic wrap or Coban wrap.
Otherwise, apply just enough tape to keep the dressing in place.
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Padding Roll Gauze Padding roll gauze is very useful to
cushion large wounds. It's often called "Kerlix," which is a specific brand. It
can be used in place of a kling wrap in the dressing, and for many wounds provides enough
padding that gauze pads are not required. It absorbs ooze or blood, and prevents dryness
in an open wound. |
The padding roll gauze can also be used for compression dressings, for example to
compress a sprained ankle. Apply it under the elastic wrap.
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Sanitary Napkin While lady bikers may carry a napkin or
panty-liner for "emergencies" on the trail, there are other uses. The pad is
sterile, absorbent, doesn't gum up and stick to the wound like toilet paper, and removes
in one piece. |
The pad makes an excellent temporary dressing. It can also be used as padding over an
injury. It's large enough to give a sterile covering for a big wound, open fractures, or
exposed viscera.
Guys: The only drawback to taking your wife's "emergency supply" from the
glove compartment is that -- admit it -- most of you would rather bleed to death or die of
infection than be seen with it.
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Trauma Dressing The multi-trauma dressing can be used
as padding, or as coverage. Coming in various sizes, these dressings unfold to cover (for
example) the entire chest or abdomen.
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The large size makes it useful for covering large areas of burn or abrasion while you
travel to a medical facility. It can be used to cover exposed viscera. The dressing can be
used to pad an injured arm or leg inside a splint.
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Eye Pads Eye pads are padded dressings for the eye. Eye
pads are used to keep the eye shut following minor eye injuries such as a corneal
abrasion. Depending on the depth of the eye socket, you may have to fold a pad in half to
get the right amount of pressure. |
The eye pad is taped in place. Run the bands of tape in an oblique direction: aim the
top end for the middle of the front hairline and the bottom end for the angle of the jaw.
NOTE: You should NOT tape an eye pad over an eye that may have been punctured, or that has
an impaled object. Instead, tape a paper drinking cup (with the open end facing the eye)
over the eye.
Eye pads can also be used to provide local pressure over a wound. For example, to get
control of bleeding in a puncture wound: place a couple of eye pads directly over it,
secure it with a kling wrap, then use a compression wrap to apply pressure.
Securing a Dressing
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Roll Gauze Roller gauze is used to secure dressings.
This type of bandage is called a kling wrap. Pick a size appropriate to the wound, and to
the body part you'll be bandaging. For example, a 1 inch roll is appropriate for fingers,
while a 3 inch roll is about right for the upper arm. |
To construct a dressing, first place a non-stick pad. Put the gauze pad directly over
top. Bind it down with your roller gauze. If you need compression (either to prevent
swelling or bleeding, or to keep the bandage in place), add an elastic wrap or Coban wrap.
Otherwise, apply just enough tape to keep the dressing in place.
Click
here to link to WoundCareShop to purchase first
aid supplies such as KLING roll gauze.
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Padding Roll Gauze Padding roll gauze is very useful to
cushion large wounds. It's often called "Kerlix," which is a specific brand. It
can be used in place of a kling wrap in the dressing. It absorbs ooze or blood, and
prevents dryness in an open wound. |
The padding roll gauze can also be used for compression dressings, for example to
compress a sprained ankle. Apply it under the elastic wrap.
To construct a dressing, first place antibiotic ointment, then a non-stick pad. Put a
gauze pad directly over top. Bind it down with the padding roll gauze. If you need
compression (either to prevent swelling or bleeding, or to keep the bandage in place), add
an elastic wrap or Coban wrap. Otherwise, apply just enough tape to keep the dressing in
place.
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Self-adherent Compression Bandage Coban is a sample
brand of self-adherent compression wrap. It sticks to itself, but does NOT stick to you.
It can be used in many of the situations where you would use an elastic bandage (ace
wrap). It's lighter and more conforming to your shape. Click
here to link to WoundCareShop to purchase first
aid supplies such as Coban wrap.
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Example uses for Coban wrap would be:
1. compression of a healing shin muscle strain during sports
2. support for a healing wrist sprain at work
3. placement over a kling wrap to compress an injury
Coban does not rip. Use your scissors to cut it to the right length. In general, the wrap
should be tightest at the end that's furthest from the heart.
Watch for signs that the wrap is too tight -- such as swelling, numbness, discoloration,
or pain "downstream" from the wrap. Coban contains latex, to which some people
are allergic.
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Elastic bandage Often called an "ace wrap,"
the elastic bandage is a roll of loose-weave cloth containing elastic strands.
Wrapped
around the extremity or trunk, it squeezes the underlying tissues. |
Its uses are:
1. compression of injuries such as a sprain or bruise
2. elastic immobilization or support of injured parts
3. securing the dressing on a large open wound
4. control of bleeding in wounds or fractures
5. symptom control in rib fracture
Select a size appropriate to the injured part: adult wrist = 2 inch, adult ankle = 4 inch,
adult thigh or chest = 6 inch. In general, the wrap should be tightest at the end that's
furthest away from your heart. Be careful that the wrap doesn't cut off circulation --
watch for swelling, discoloration, increasing pain, or numbness "downstream"
from the wrap.
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Tape Tape can be used to secure a dressing, but it's
not the ideal choice. (A kling wrap secured with self-adhering wrap such as Coban is
ideal. But tape may be useful when pressure is needed on a finger wound, or when you need
a little extra security to keep a dressing from unraveling. Click
here to link to WoundCareShop to purchase first
aid supplies such as tape. |
Cloth tape is made to have excellent strength, yet still be "tearable." The
tape can be used for:
1. securing a dressing
2. taping a splint
3. "sticky pickup" of glass fragments from the skin
4. taping a joint for stability
To tear the tape, use a sideways "shearing" force.
Immobilization
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Aluminum Splint A bendable aluminum splint
can be used to
immobilize finger injuries. Some types of this splint have a foam strip
glued to the metal for cushioning. |
Sample uses:
1. immobilizing a laceration over a finger joint
2. treating minor finger sprains.
3. treating finger tendon strain
The splint can be cut to length with your EMT snips. Bend it to the position desired; the
finger is usually most comfortable in a "half-bent" position. The splint is
secured with bands of tape.
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Triangular Bandage The triangular bandage's primary use
is as a sling. But it can be surprisingly handy. The triangular bandage can also be used
as a tie for a splint on the arm or leg. It can be used as a wrap to secure a dressing. In
a pinch, it can even replace a broken helmet strap. |
Unfold the cloth. Bring the long ends together around the neck, with the pointy end at
the elbow. Secure it with a knot or pen. Keep the elbow from sliding out by typing a knot,
pinning the flap, or tucking the extra cloth in.
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