How to Make Bandages
When injuries occur you may not have bandages on hand. With products around your home you can make your own. The regular adhesive bandage and the butterfly adhesive bandage are two types you can easily make to aid you in stopping blood flow from an injury. Knowing how to make your own bandages will serve you well in times of crisis.
Things You'll Need
- Any strong tape (duct tape works especially well)
- Gauze, clean cloth or paper towel
- Scissors
Instructions
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Regular Adhesive Bandage
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1
Cut a piece of material no wider than your tape. (Gauze is the best material, but if you don't have any, a piece of clean cloth or paper towel will work.)
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2
Tear or cut off a piece of tape three times longer than the size of the pad piece you have created.
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3
Apply the pad to the middle of the tape and press down firmly, adhering the pad to the tape.
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4
Apply the bandage to the cut, securing the pad over the wound and using the tape to secure the pad on both sides of the injury.
Butterfly Adhesive Bandage
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5
Cut a strip of tape to the length you need. Fold it in half on the shorter axis, with the sticky side facing out. With one hand, using your thumb and forefinger, hold the two loose ends of the tape together with the folded edge facing up.
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6
Cut the tape parallel to the folded edge. Start the cut a quarter-inch from the folded top, and stop a third of the way to the center of the tape, making sure to cut through the front and back sides of the tape. Make a second cut on the same side, a quarter-inch lower than the first, angling your scissors upward a little to meet up with the end of the first cut, essentially cutting a small triangle or dart. Remove and discard the cut-out triangle. Repeat on the opposite side of the tape.
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7
Unfold the tape. The triangle cuts should have created a small rectangle in the center of the tape.
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8
Fold the left third of the rectangle over with the sticky side facing in, and press firmly to adhere. Fold the right third of the rectangle over with the sticky side facing in and press down on the top of the folded left tab. Again, press firmly, creating a non-sticky area with the two folded rectangle sides.
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9
Place the folded tab section over the wound and attach one sticky tape end to one side of the wound. Then, pulling tightly, using the adhesion of the tape to close the wound, attach the other side of the tape to the other side of the wound as tightly as possible. This should keep the edges of the wound together.
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Tips & Warnings
When dealing with a large wound you may need to use more than one bandage. In making adhesive bandages you can use whatever tape you have on hand, but if possible use first-aid tape.
Keep the folded center of the butterfly bandage clean, as it sits directly on top of the wound. Do not use tissue or toilet paper in making the regular adhesive bandage as it will disintegrate when it becomes wet. Be careful to monitor for any allergic reaction to the tape; if such a reaction develops, remove the tape immediately and use different tape. If bleeding does not stop, seek medical attention.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit bandage image by Byron Moore from Fotolia.com
