When should you apply a bandage? If we hear the word first-aid, we sometimes imagine a person all wrapped up in bandages looking like a mummy.
During my first aid classes, some of my trainee first aiders would ask if it was really necessary to perform a bandage on a wound. Why do they ask? Because for bleeding wound, priority goes to stopping the bleeding first. However, there are advantages of applying a bandage after stopping a bleeding.
First, bandaging is usually used as a secondary treatment - to hold a pad or gauze that was used. Secondly, it limits exposure of the wound to the surrounding, thus lowering the risk of wound infections.
Tip on bandaging
First, stop bleeding with gauze or pad while applying direct pressure.
Once the bleeding has stopped, get a crepe bandage (the elastic type) of the right size for the body area i.e. you need a smaller crepe bandage for areas like the hand and a larger crepe bandage for places like the thigh or abdomen.
Make one round, securing one end of the gauze first.
The continue to go round covering the gauze completely.
Ensure that the whole gauze is covered by the crepe bandage becuase bandaging can also be used as an alternative way to stop bleeding.
Share on social media