Bandages and Dressings

Bandages and dressings are one of the most frequently used pieces of first aid equipment as they are used to treat a range of emergencies.

Bandages

Bandaging is an extremely useful first aid skill and can help to:

• control bleeding
• keep dressings in place
• protect and keep a wound clean
• provide support
• prevent swelling
• restrict movement.

Bandages that are frequently used by first responders include:

• roller bandages—long, thin bandages rolled up that are used to support joint injuries and hold dressings in place
• triangular bandages—large, triangular-shaped pieces of cloth that you can fold to use as either a bandage or sling, or as a pad for large wounds and burns
• pressure immobilisation bandages—often elasticised, these help put pressure on wounds to stop bleeding and reduce swelling.

Dressings

Dressings are used to soak up blood and other fluids, to assist the body in forming a clot, to help reduce pain and to protect wounds from infection.

Dressings come in many shapes and sizes to cover different wounds and their margins. They are made from a range of materials. There are medicated and non-medicated dressings, sterile or non-sterile dressings, combined dressings, non-adhesive and adhesive dressings, gauzes and hydrogels, all of which help in the administering of first aid.

Sterile dressings should be removed from their packet with gloved hands only when the wound is ready to be covered.

Non-adhesive dressings need to be held in place by bandages or medical tape.