Everyone should know how bandages are applied. The technique of applying bandages alone is simple and does not require special skills. Others can only be correctly applied by a specialist. Nevertheless, the general rules of this procedure are available to each of us. Let's pay attention to them.
General rules for bandaging
The roll of bandage must be held in the right hand. The end of the bandage is held in the left hand. In this case, you need to make sure that the roll can roll out without problems on the surface.
When applying a bandage, you need to use two hands. With one hand, the roll is rolled out without tearing it off the surface of the body, and the bandage itself is corrected with the other.
In the process of applying bandages, the types of which depend on the specific situation, you need to face the victim. This will allow you to control its condition.
Bandage from top to bottom, from the place where the diameter of the body surface is smaller.
The first winding must be fixed by making a slight bend of the bandage in the place where it began. On top of this place, another winding is made - fixing. Each subsequent winding of the bandage is made half of the previous one.
When the bandaging is over, the end of the bandage should be slightly incised longitudinally, forming two parts. Thenat the incision site, the bandage is carefully torn, creating two parts of insignificant length. They are tied in a knot.
Bandages are applied loosely, which allows not to disturb blood circulation. It is also impossible to apply them weakly, as they can easily slide off the wound.
General classification of medical dressings
It seems to many that a bandage can stop bleeding or prevent infection from entering the wound. In fact, the main purpose of the dressing is to fix the material for dressing. Having determined what type of wound, on which part of the body it is located, certain rules and methods of applying bandages are applied. For these purposes, a classification of the considered device has been developed. So, bandages distinguish:
- as intended (functions performed by dressings);
- by type (mechanical properties);
- by type of material used;
- according to the method of fixing the dressing.
Initially, you should familiarize yourself with the proposed classification, and then thoroughly study the rules for applying bandages. Bandages vary. If even a schoolboy is able to cope with the imposition of some, then the professional skills of a qualified specialist will be required to apply others. We should not forget that the methods of applying bandages depend on the specific injury in a particular part of the human body.
Classification by purpose
Depending on what function the medical bandage performs, they distinguishits following types:
- protective (aseptic) - to prevent re-infection of the wound;
- medicinal - to ensure continuous access of medicine to the wound;
- hemostatic (pressing) - stops bleeding;
- immobilizing - to immobilize a part of the body (limbs);
- with traction - provides traction of bone fragments;
- corrective - eliminates deformities;
- occlusive - seals the wound.
To quickly help a person in an emergency, you need to know how bandages are applied. The technique of applying this device will be discussed below.
Classification by type (mechanical properties)
Modern medical dressings are:
- soft - used widely enough to treat a wide variety of wounds;
- hard - used when it is necessary to create the effect of immobility to treat an injury or disease;
- elastic - an indispensable device in the process of combating the expansion of the saphenous veins, as well as venous congestion;
- radioactive is a special gauze on which there is an active coating of natural radioactive isotopes.
Soft and hard bandages are the most common.
Classification by type of material used
Depending on what material medical dressings are made of, they are divided into:
- gauze (there are bandaged and non-bandaged);
- fabric (use clothes, scarf);
- cotton gauze(a cotton bandage is made from a piece of gauze and a small amount of cotton);
- gypsum;
- devices made from medical or transport splints.
Special purpose dressings are often used in medicine. A prime example is Unna's zinc-gelatin dressing, which is used to treat clear ulcers. It is distinguished by its properties (compression and bactericidal), is able to reduce venous congestion, improves the flow of venous blood, has an osmotic and hygroscopic effect on the ulcer.
Classification according to the method of fixing dressings
Given how medical dressings can be attached to a problem area, the following types of these devices are distinguished:
1. Bandage free:
- adhesive - used for minor injuries, applied to the area of the wound, fixed on the dressing with special adhesives (collodion, cleol, plastic materials, BF-6 glue);
- adhesive plasters - used when it is necessary to bandage small wounds or acute purulent formations;
- kerchiefs - used when first aid is needed, it is possible to use in critical situations, often such a bandage is done to create temporary immobilization, superimposed over a protective bandage;
- sling-like - they are a strip of tissue, cut longitudinally at the ends, in the center of which there is an uncut material (a wide bandage can be used), applied to protruding parts of the body (head, chin,back of the head, nose), on which the usual fixing bandage will not hold and from which the bandage bandages slip;
- T-shaped - are used in the process of dressing wounds or areas in the perineal area where an inflammatory process is observed;
- tubular elastic bandage - used when it is necessary to fix a dressing on a wound in any part of the body.
2. Bandage - soft bandages made of bandages. They are used in orthopedics when bones and soft tissues are damaged, with burns, frostbite, in traumatology.
Soft bandages
Basic requirements for soft bandages:
- closing the diseased area of the body;
- convenience;
- she should not cut off circulation;
- neatness;
- she should not disturb the lymph circulation.
Currently, doctors distinguish between the following types of soft bandages:
- circular (circular) - both start and finish the bandage with them, convenient for minor wounds located on the phalanges of the fingers, in the frontal region, in the lower third of the lower leg, on the wrists, in the middle of the shoulder;
- spiral - this type of bandage is made on the arm, stomach, chest;
- creeping (serpentine) - used when there is a need to securely fasten cotton-gauze pads, as well as during plastering;
- cruciform (eight-shaped) - used for overlay in the chest, back, neck;
- turtles (converging,divergent) - these are bandages for joints (knee, elbow), which are a variant of cruciform (eight-shaped) bandages;
- spike-shaped - applied to the shoulder joint when its pathology is detected;
- returning - used when bandaging the head, on the terminal phalanges of the fingers.
- Deso dressings - are used when there are minor fractures of the collarbone and humerus, are used to adjust a dislocated shoulder, these dressings are indispensable when you need to fix the arm and bones after surgery;
- supporting (for the mammary gland) - imposed if the area of the mammary gland was subject to burns, injuries, inflammation, surgery.
Soft bandages for specific body parts
The following types of bandages are applied to the head:
- returning (Hippocratic hat, it is applied with two bandages or a two-headed bandage);
- sling-shaped (if there are minor injuries to the chin, frontal part, nose, parietal part, temporal and occipital regions);
- bridle (supports lower jaw);
- "cap" (the most comfortable bandage for the head).
The neckband can be of the following types:
- adhesive (helps to firmly fix the dressing);
- cruciform (for localization of injuries formed in the upper body);
- circular (for bandaging the lower part of the jaw - such a bandage turns into a cruciform type in the back area).
The bandage around the neck should ensure the integrity of the bandaged area of the body. It should firmly hold the dressing material. Such a bandage should not slip around the neck, squeeze it.
The following types of bandages are applied to the chest:
- spiral (used when the chest is injured, the rib is broken, in inflammatory processes);
- cruciform (for overlaying on the chest back and front);
- supportive (on one or both mammary glands);
- spike-shaped (superimposed on the pelvis when the lower abdomen is damaged or bedsores form in the sacrum, with damage to the groin or perineum);
- T-shaped (used for bandaging in the crotch area).
The following types of dressings are provided for the upper limbs:
- returning (used when the distal or middle phalanx of the finger is damaged);
- spike-shaped (for bandaging the thumb, shoulder joint area);
- "glove" (hand bandage, when applied, the principle of bandaging one finger is used);
- "mitten";
- spiral (used in the forearm area);
- turtle (for bandaging elbow joints);
- Dezo bandage (used when there is a broken collarbone).
The following types of dressings are provided for the lower limbs:
- returning (for bandaging the toe);
- spiral (for overlaying on the first toe);
- spike(allows you to bandage the foot, while the fingers remain open);
- turtle (used in the heel and knee area);
- spiral (used in the shin area, maybe with a kink on the thigh).
When there is a need for first aid, use scarf bandages. They are easy to apply and do not require special skills. Handkerchiefs, scraps of fabrics, sheets act as improvised material.
Self-fixing bandage
When there is a need to apply a pressure bandage or other device used for dislocations and in the process of treating edema or sprains, a self-locking bandage comes to the rescue. It can also be used to fix not only dressings, but also any medical devices. This bandage is an excellent solution when you need to provide reliable compression without displacement for several hours.
Self-fixing bandage is used in phlebology, orthopedics, traumatology.
Of course, a self-locking bandage is just a consumable medical material. However, it is very useful for people who play sports. Thanks to the fixation of certain areas on the body with such a bandage, it becomes possible to protect the athlete from sprains and dislocations.
Saline dressings
Despite the fact that these bandages receive rave and positive reviews, they are not suitable for all diagnoses.
Today like thisdressings can effectively cure somatic diseases, low-grade burns, chronic appendicitis, hemorrhages with hematomas, festering wounds. When the decision is made to apply saline dressings, you need to know that:
- s alt solution greater than 10% is unacceptable for bandaging;
- breathable materials should be used for dressing;
- such dressings are contraindicated for people with a disease of the cardiovascular system;
- Saline dressings should not be applied to people with kidney problems.
You should not prescribe the use of such dressings on your own. This procedure should only be prescribed by a doctor.
How to properly apply different bandages?
Now let's pay attention to such a process as bandaging. The technique of applying these devices of various types and types is largely similar. But there are also options that are radically different from all the others.
Let's pay attention to the main options for applying bandage bandages.
Rules for applying a circular bandage:
- the first round is wound at an angle of 30° to the part of the body on which the bandage is applied;
- you need to make sure that the end of the material used for bandaging goes about 5-10 cm beyond the part of the body on which the bandage is applied;
- when the first round is wound, the remaining end of the bandage is folded over, after which it is fixed with subsequent rounds of the material used in bandaging;
- to avoid bandage displacement,each new round overlaps more tightly than the previous ones;
- each new headband round should cover the previous ones.
Helical dressing rules:
- imposition starts with a circular bandage (slightly away from the injury site);
- if a spiral bandage without kinks is applied (on the shoulder, thigh, chest), an elastic bandage is used;
- if a spiral bandage with kinks is applied (forearm, lower leg), then they are made exclusively in one line, trying to apply the bandage away from the damaged area;
- if, when applying a spiral bandage that does not have kinks, it is not possible to achieve full compliance with the plane of the bandage with the surface of the body, several kinks must be made with a further transition to a spiral bandage without kinks.
Rules for applying a creeping bandage:
- application starts with a circular bandage, then each subsequent round is sharply moved in the proximal direction;
- you need to leave free gaps equal to the width of the bandage between each new round.
Rules for applying a cruciform bandage:
- start bandaging with a circular bandage;
- each new round is crossed and alternated with a circular type of bandage, while the bandage is located and with the new round moves in the proximal direction from the first circular bandage.
Spike bandage technique:
- begin the application with a circular bandage in the area of the shoulder girdle(this will fix the first rounds of the bandage);
- then they bandage, moving from the diseased limb to the area of the shoulder joint, from it to the shoulder girdle, then along the surface of the chest to the axillary region from the opposite side and return to the sore shoulder and shoulder girdle;
- each subsequent round, passing through the chest and shoulder, is carried out with an upward shift of ½ tires.
Returning dressing rules:
- begin by applying a circular bandage to the limb;
- a bend is made on the front surface of the stump;
- through the end part of the stump lead a vertical tour of the bandage to its back surface;
- each round that returns is fixed by means of a circular round;
- each new vertical tour is shifted towards the outer and then the inner edge of the injured limb;
- all tours are additionally fixed with a spiral bandage.
Plaster bandages: types and overlay technique
If someone has used bandages before, the technique of applying these devices will not be new. But, most likely, I had to deal with soft bandage bandages. The fact is that even a schoolboy can cope with them. But there is also a more serious type of bandage, the application of which should be trusted only by specialists.
Before you learn the basic rules for applying plaster bandages, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the existing types of these devices.
Kplaster casts include:
- circular primary dissected (after it hardens, it is immediately cut longitudinally);
- fenestrated (in a circular bandage, a hole is made over the area that is subject to treatment);
- bridge-shaped (imposed instead of fenestrated in the case when more extensive access is needed to the damaged area);
- hinged plaster (made of two circular couplings, in the joint area they are fastened with movable type hinges);
- staged (used when it is necessary to cure persistent arthrogenic contractures).
Basic rules for applying plaster casts:
- be sure to check the availability of all tools and materials that may be needed;
- checking the quality of bandages for applying a plaster cast;
- high-quality fixation of a limb injury is possible only if at least two joints adjacent to the injury are immobilized;
- in the process of fixing the limb, it is given an advantageous position (in terms of functionality);
- The dressing should be comfortable and not interfere with going to the toilet;
- to control the state of blood supply, the terminal phalanges of the fingers and toes are left open;
- when the bandage is applied, all traces of plaster are removed from the body to ensure skin control;
- between the bandage and the skin (in their extreme parts) a soft pad is placed that protects soft tissues from injury;
- bandage around the edges should not be sharp;
- gypsum longuetashould be smooth, without roughness (creases are removed before overlay);
- wrapping with a plaster bandage is done without tension, avoiding the formation of kinks and folds, the tours are overlapped (according to the principle of a spiral-type bandage);
- when applying a bandage, the limb is held not with fingers, but with the whole brush, which avoids indentation marks;
- The shape of the cast is changed before the cast hardens.
All cast plaster casts must be marked. Indicate the pattern of bone damage, the day the injury occurred, the day the cast was applied, and the day the bandage is supposed to be removed.
