How to Bandage a Wound

Series Summary

The term first aid refers to the immediate care that is provided to an injured or sick person. It is used to stabilize a patient until further medical treatment and assessment can be provided at a hospital or care facility. For most of us, a first-aid kit is used primarily to treat minor medical emergencies, like small cuts or burns. But it is important to keep a first aid kit stocked with supplies you use regularly as well as those items you might use for a more serious situation until EMS can help. In addition to a first aid kit, knowing what to do in emergency situations is a key part of treating injuries. Knowledge of how to roll an injured person to safety or help a person having an epileptic seizure may not be included in a first-aid kit, but might just save a life. In this free first-aid series, learn how to handle a variety of emergency situations, such as dog bites, snake bites and even life-threatening injuries. Even learn how to prevent injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. This series also includes useful advice on surviving natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.

Video Transcript

"You know one of the common injuries that occurs is the simple every day wound. Hi, I'm Captain Joe Bruni. And what we're going to talk about and discuss is how to dress a common wound during first aid procedures. The common wound can occur on any part of the body. It can be minor or major in nature. One of the first things that you want to determine is that working on the victim, that has incurred such an injury, is in an area that is safe. So scene safety it utmost importance. If some type of latex or medical glove is available, put these medical or latex gloves on. To not protect yourself from further injury or disease, or from contamination of the wound itself. The wound itself should be cleaned and dressed by some type of soap and water, antiseptic, hydrogen peroxide or even rubbing alcohol. After the debris and dirt have been removed and the area cleansed, some type of dressing should be applied. The dressing could be small in nature, such as this small gauze pad. Or large in nature such as this larger gauze pad. Remember to apply some time of antibacterial ointment to the gauze pad, if its available . And then place it over top of the wound site. Making sure that the dressing extends about half an inch beyond the wound or the site itself. Then some type of adhesive tape, like medical tape, or athletic tape can be used to apply to the edges of the bandage to hold it in place. After that, assess the injury site to make sure the patient still has feeling in the general area, and there is no numbness or tingling. If the area needs to be washed, some type of plastic covering can be placed over the bandage to keep it dry. Or as dry as possible. And then reevaluate the injury for secondary infection and contamination. Which will show itself by increased reddening and swelling. I'm Captain Joe Bruni on how to dress a common first aid wound."