How to do a proper bandage?

Bandages may be used to help injured joints, steady dressings, and manage to bleed. When applying a bandage on someone else, you should always make sure the person is comfortable and reassure them by explaining what you are doing.

First, you should know the types of bandages and what type of injuries they are made for.

1. Roller bandages

They should be used to support injured limbs, maintain pressure on wounds, and limit swelling. They should be used especially for ankles, wrists, elbows, and knees.

To use them correctly, you should start by keeping the rolled-up part of the bandage over the wound and the unrolled part under the wound. Start by wrapping it twice over the wound in spiral curves, making sure that each new layer covers half of the previous one. When you are done, make sure you secure the end.

1. Tubular bandages

These should be used to support injured joints and to hold dressings on toes and fingers. You can also use elasticated tubular bandages to support injured joints, like an elbow or knee.

The application of the tubular bandages is similar to the roller bandages, but you should have to cut it before applying.

1. Triangular bandages

These should be used to support an injury in the wrist, arm, or shoulders and also as a bandage and dressing for larger wounds.

To apply it, you should ask the person to keep their arm in front of their chest, placing the bandage under the arm and around the back of the neck. Place the other half of the bandage over the arm so that it meets the shoulder, and tie a knot. Then, tie the ends of the bandage to the elbow, or secure it with a pin.

When using a triangular bandage to support a lower limb or a large wound, you should fold it horizontally so that the tip of the triangle touches the center of the longer side, folding it in half in the same direction to get a wide strip.

Here are some tips that you can use when applying every kind of bandage:

1. You should start by working from the side of the injury, keeping the injured part of the body in the position it would be when you apply the bandage.

2. You should also make sure that the bandage is snug but not too tight, and secure the end by folding it over or by tying a knot in the end.

3. Once it is in place, you should ask the person if it's not too tight and check the circulation by pressing the fingernail or a piece of skin. If the color of the skin/nail doesn't return right away, it is a sign that the bandage is tied too tight, and you should loosen it. Since swelling is a common thing in injuries, you should check the blood flow every 10 minutes to make sure there is a circulation of blood in the wound.