How to Bandage a Wound During First Aid

Properly dressing and bandaging a wound will aid in the healing process and help prevent infection and scarring.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Bandannas
• Evacuation Plan
• Wilderness First Aid Classes
• Antibiotic Creams
• Compression Bandages
• Cotton Swabs
• Elastic Bandage Tapes
• Eyebrow Tweezers
• First Aid Kits
• Gauze
• Gauze Pads
• Gauze Wraps
• Latex Gloves
• Occlusive Dressings (Second Skin)
• Semi-occlusive Dressings (Telfa)
• Sterile Dressings
• Plastic Bags
• Scissors
• Evacuation Insurance
• Waterproof Tape
• Safety Goggles
• Surgical Masks

1. Protect yourself. Scrub your hands thoroughly with soap and disinfected water and put on latex gloves to prevent the spread of infectious disease.
2. Clean the wound and carefully remove any excess debris.
3. Remove any jewelry, such as rings or watches, that might impair circulation.
4. Apply antibiotic cream to the inside of the material you are using as the dressing.
5. Cover the wound with the dressing. The dressing should extend beyond the wound by about 1/2 inch so that it covers the wound completely and allows room to affix the dressing to uninjured skin.
6. Cut four strips of athletic tape and affix them to the dressing and skin on all four sides of the dressing. The purpose of the bandage is to help keep the dressing in place, and it shouldn't be too loose (able to move around) or too tight (impairing circulation).
7. If there is a risk that the wound will be exposed to water, cover the bandage with waterproof material such as waterproof tape or plastic.
8. Look at and feel the area and limb surrounding the wound to make certain the dressing does not impair circulation.
9. Ask the injured person if he or she can feel the area you are touching, feels no pain or tingling, and can move the limb fully. The skin should be pink and slightly warm to the touch.
10. Change dressings daily, and check for signs of infection.

Tips & Warnings

• The best dressings to use are self-adhesive dressings that are resistant to bacterial invasion, or microthin film dressings that are transparent and water-repelling. If none of these dressings are available, apply antibiotic ointment to sterile gauze and affix the gauze with tape.
• Be sure the dressing is sterile and bulky, and that it allows the skin to remain slightly moist. Avoid using dry dressings or dressings that stick to the wound.
• Infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis are transmitted via the exchange of bodily fluids. Protect yourself by wearing latex gloves.
• Avoid breathing or coughing into the wound, as this will increase the risk of infection.
• Do not apply antibiotic ointment directly to the wound, as this will increase the risk of contaminating the tube of ointment.
• Gauze and bandages that have been removed from the injured person should always be handled with latex gloves or tweezers, and should be disposed of immediately. The best means of disposal is burning. Tweezers should be disinfected immediately after use.
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.