How do I apply plasters and other dressings?

Also:

• sit or lie down, or get the person who's bleeding to do this
• if you're helping someone else, tell them what you're doing as you apply the dressing
• stop any bleeding by applying pressure and raising the affected leg or arm higher than the heart
• use a dressing that's slightly bigger than the wound you want it to cover
• hold the dressing at the edges, keeping your fingers away from the part that's going to cover the wound

Sterile dressing pads attached to bandages

Sterile (hygienic) dressing pads come in a protective wrapping. Once out of the wrapping, they're no longer sterile.

When applying one:

• clean and dry the wound and surrounding skin
• hold the bandage on either side of the pad
• lay the pad directly on the wound
• wind the short end once around the limb and the pad
• wind the other end around the limb to cover the whole pad
• tie the ends together over the pad to secure it, and put slight pressure on the wound

Dressings should be replaced on a regular basis

If the wound is severe, you may need to go to a minor injuries unit after applying the dressing.

If you can't stop the bleeding, go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department as soon as possible.

Plasters (adhesive dressings)

Plasters are made from a piece of gauze and have a sticky (adhesive) backing. They're usually wrapped in single sterile packs.

They sometimes come in different shapes and sizes, or you can cut them to size. Some plasters are waterproof.

When applying one:

• clean and dry the wound and surrounding skin
• unwrap the plaster and hold it by the protective strips with the pad side facing down
• peel back the strips, but don't remove them
• place the pad on the wound, pull away the strips, and press the edges of the plaster down

Plasters should be replaced every time they get dirty or wet, or if the blood soaks through.

A small number of people are allergic to the adhesive strips – ask them if this is the case before applying a plaster.

How do I apply a bandage?

The key points when applying a bandage are:

• Make sure the person is comfortable and tell them what you're doing.
• Work from the side of the injury so you don't have to lean across their body.
• Keep the injured part of the body supported in the position it'll be in when the bandage is on.
• Use the right size bandage – different parts of the body need different widths of bandage.
• Avoid covering fingers or toes when bandaging a limb so you can easily check the circulation.
• Apply the bandage firmly, but not tightly, and secure the end by folding it over and tying a knot in the end. You can also use a safety pin, tape or a bandage clip.
• As soon as the bandage is on, ask if it feels too tight and check the circulation by pressing on a fingernail or a piece of skin until it turns pale. If the colour doesn't return straight away, the bandage may be too tight, so you should loosen it. Limbs can swell up after an injury, so check the circulation every 10 minutes after you have put the bandage on.

Roller bandages

There are 3 types of roller bandage:

• bandages made of open-weave material allow ventilation, but don't put pressure on wounds and don't support joints
• elasticated bandages mould to a person's body shape, and are used to secure dressings and support soft tissue injuries like sprains
• crepe bandages are used to give firm support to injured joints

To apply a roller bandage:

• keep the rolled part of the bandage above the injury and the unrolled part below the injury
• begin by wrapping twice around the injury to hold the end in place
• work up the limb, winding the bandage in spiralling turns, making sure that each new layer covers one-third to two-thirds of the previous one
• finish by wrapping the bandage around once more and securing the end

When applying bandages to elbows and knees to hold dressings in place or support sprains or strains, flex the joint slightly, apply the bandage in a figure of eight, and extend the bandage quite far on each side of the joint.

When applying bandages on hands to hold dressings in place or support sprains and strains, work from the inside of the wrist using diagonal turns across the back of the hand to the end of the little finger, leaving the thumb free.

Tubular bandages

Tubular bandages are used to hold dressings on fingers or toes, or support injured joints. They're made of seamless fabric tube.

You can get elasticated ones to place over joints such as the ankle. Ones made of tubular gauze can be placed over fingers or toes, but don't provide any pressure to stop bleeding.

Before placing a tubular bandage over an injury, you may need to cut it to a smaller size.

Triangular bandages

Triangular bandages can be used as large dressings, as slings to support a limb, or to secure a dressing in place.

If you're using a triangular bandage as a sling on an arm, you use it opened out.

You should:

• ask the person to hold their arm across their chest and support the arm while you work
• put the bandage under the arm and around the back of the neck
• put the other half of the bandage over the arm to meet at the shoulder and tie into a knot
• tuck the loose ends of the bandage in at the elbow, or use a pin

If you're using a triangular bandage to support a lower limb or large dressing, fold it in half horizontally so the point of the triangle touches the middle of the long edge. Then fold it in half again in the same direction to make a broad strip.