Updated date:

Jun 7, 2018

Bandages in First Aid Kits: Types and Uses

Author:

Bandages come in various shapes and sizes. Each bandage has been designed to best suit a specific injury. When applying a bandage, be careful not to touch the white sterile pad with your fingers, or with anything else that can contaminate it before it is applied to the wound.

These are the types of bandages I will address in this article:

Strip bandage
Fingertip bandage
Knuckle bandage
Butterfly closure
Donut bandage
Pressure bandages
Gauze rolls
5 x 9 sterile gauze pad
Triangular bandage
Sterile burn sheets
Steri-strips
Tensor bandages
Eye patch

Examples of sterile gauze pads are also shown below.

An EMT's Advice on What Should Be in a First Aid Kit

Strip Bandage Is the Most Common

The strip bandage is the most common type you will see in first aid kits. It is used for any small wound on a flat surface.

Fingertip Bandage

The fingertip bandage is used for just that—a fingertip. It is made to wrap around the finger.

Knuckle Bandage

The knuckle bandage wraps around the knuckle.

Butterfly Closure

The butterly closure is used to pull both sides of a cut back together to promote healing and help prevent infection.

Donut Bandage

The donut bandage is used to put pressure around an impaled object without putting pressure on the object itself. Attach with roll or gauze or tape.

A pressure bandage is best described as a conforming gauze roll bandage that contains an inner absorbent layer of porous cotton to be applied to a wound site. The rolled gauze is then applied around the cotton pad to hold it in place on the wound.

Gauze Rolls

Gauze rolls come in various lengths and sizes and can be wrapped around any wound. They can also be used to hold a gauze pad in place.

Sterile gauze pads can be used for various sizes of wounds. They usually come in sizes from 2 x 2 inches, 3 x 3 inches, 4 x 4 inches, and 5 x 9 (shown) or larger.

The triangular bandage takes up little space in a first aid kit—the bandage is only about three inches square while in its packaging—but it unwraps to a large flexible triangular sheet that can be used to sling an arm, wrap around a wrist injury, or wrap around an injured head. It is a very versatile bandage and a valuable addition to any first aid kit.

Sterile burn sheets are non-woven and made of laminated tissue fibers that provide a sterile environment. They prevent infection without sticking to the burned area. Their construction resists tearing and conforms to the person's contours. The burn sheet may be used as a wet or dry dressing.

Steri-Strips

Steri-Strip Closures are pre-cut and reinforced for extra strength. They minimize the risk of superficial wounds opening during healing. Although they should not be used in place of stitches, they are great to close superficial wounds until you can receive stitches.

Tensor Bandages

Tensor bandages are elastic stretch bandages that provide compression and a controlled pressure. Metal clips hold them in place. They are great to stop bleeding.

Eye Patch

The eye patch is placed over a wounded or infected eye. A triangular bandage wrapped around the head is a good way to hold it in place.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Comments

Dr.Ponnulingham on September 20, 2017:

simply described...useful

Opeyemi Abiola on September 14, 2017:

You Have A Bandage All Over Your Body

Edward on November 11, 2016:

thanks very much guys i have a lot of bandages

Johne448 on August 02, 2014:

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tony on February 28, 2014:

awesome!!! I just got a lot of different bandages on my paper because of you guys

hjnrejiobgv8y on February 28, 2014:

helpful thank you

gewakshi on January 31, 2014:

nice my bandage project is complete

junjun on September 23, 2013:

thanks for giving information

maria cristina sulit on July 05, 2013:

all of that information are takes advantage to the persons who needed that kind of explanations regarding on how to relieve an injured person.NICE!!!thank you for the persons who discover and invented all the materials needed in first aid.

Sudheer Kumar on December 19, 2012:

Thanks For The Giving More Information

Carol on November 06, 2012:

I like all the information !

rajinder on August 29, 2012:

not full informasion

clarisse cortan on August 13, 2012:

wow ang galing namn may natutunan ako

tnx

jezrael on June 26, 2012:

galing

JP Carlos from Quezon CIty, Phlippines on June 03, 2012:

I just finished my disaster mangement training from the Philippine Red Cross. It was fun and empowering at the same time. Your hub on bandages gave me flash backs of the training - the good ones. :)

Star boy on May 17, 2012:

MOST GIVE MORE INFORMATION.......

pushpinder lifter on April 28, 2012:

nice! plz add more info.. like contradictions and principle of bandage application

aditi on April 19, 2012:

provide infoo man !!!!

aditi on April 19, 2012:

provide infoo man !!!!

teju on March 05, 2012:

not bad but add some more inf

marrianne elijah fhembet on February 20, 2012:

thank you for posting this..

it was very helpful..

john arthur morados on February 16, 2012:

thanks to bandages

abhishek on January 22, 2012:

:D NICE INFO TY

Sarika Aggarwal on January 12, 2012:

"Nice"

norie on November 28, 2011:

ai wow!!

joshua on November 21, 2011:

well nice info but not enough

Phannie Nyaboke on October 02, 2011:

Wow ow swt its possible it can be done

paresh parmar staff brother on September 08, 2011:

your information is very good

angelynn on August 07, 2011:

i'm sorry to say but this page can't hoel me in my assignment...

ca ca on February 26, 2011:

not enough info to meet my needs

junalyn on February 21, 2011:

wow...its complete their's meaning of bandage and also types of bandage

Anuradha on February 02, 2011:

gud but add sum more information such as total number of bandages and how to dress them etc.

shrutik on January 24, 2011:

coollllllllllllll

First Aid Cabinets on November 22, 2010:

Thanks for this information.

also give the good information about the bandages.

Fatima on October 15, 2010:

Fantastic. Refreshes my GN training on wound dressing.

Well done big time.

Kylie on September 08, 2010:

Nice!!!

Very Good!!!

This is a super great help for us as a first aider

HARISH CHANDR TIWARI on June 04, 2010:

REALLY A GREAT HELP PROVIDED BY YOU FOR A BASIC FIRST AIDER BUT NEED SOME MORE IMPROVEMENT SUCH AS HOW TO APPLY THESE DRESSING AND BANDAGES ON VARIOUS WOUNDS

RAVINA on May 06, 2010:

MUST PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deni Smith on April 06, 2010:

Great article. Every one needs to know how to use bandages because injuries happen everywhere.

potpot on February 18, 2010:

yeszz

dona pot on February 18, 2010:

its tru

fredo on December 08, 2009:

.....bulshit naman yan.....gago.....

RUJUTA s. joshi on October 27, 2009:

good provide moe information