Bandaging and Moving Casualty

 

Bandages are pieces of materials used either to cover wounds, to keep dressing in place, to applying pressure to control bleeding, to support a medical device such as a splint, or on its own to provide support to the body. Bandages also can be used to constrain body parts.

In the post, you should be able to explain how the different types of bandages are used, state how a casualty can be transported to a health facility and identify different extrication techniques.

 

How to Use Bandages

It is necessary to use bandages in connection with almost every injury, therefore everyone should know how to put bandages on the different parts of the body. 

Bandages should be made of clean cloth. 

Bandages for the arms or legs should be about 6cm wide. 

Those for the fingers should be a little less than 2cm wide.

 

Also read: First Aid Care for Sports Injuries

Types of Bandaging and the Different Body Parts

1. Head Bandaging

2. Elevated arm triangular bandaging

3. Arm Sling

 

Transportation and Extrication Techniques (Practical Work)

Transportation, in the broadest term, involves all actions taken to move victims from the site of an accident or illness to the appropriate medical facility to obtain treatment and follow-up care.

On the part of a first aider, he should:

1. Make arrangements for a professional ambulance or recruit personnel to transport the victim.

2. Assist professional personnel with transportation procedures.

3. Carry out transportation procedures when professional services cannot be obtained and it is necessary to move victims to protect them from immediate danger to their lives.

Transportation techniques to be demonstrated include:

a. Human crutch method

b. Piggyback method

c. Cradle method

d. Arms across the chest carry

e. Drag method 

f. Two-handed seat carry

g. Alternative hand-formation for two-hand seat carries

h. Under the knee carry

i. Two-man carries

 

Also read: First Aid Care for Bleeding

Practical Orientation

Saddleback carries Blanket drag Two-man carry

Use of lifters

1. Stretcher (Backboard or Orthopedic)

2.  Pole-and-blanket stretcher

3.  Backboard and neck board

4.  Stokes basket

 

Extrication refers to the removal of an injured person from a confined environment using specialized equipment and skill.

Extrication involves:

1. Gaining safe entry to the person

2. Giving life-Saving emergency care

3. Disentanglement

4. Preparation for removal

5. Actual removal

 

Read on: What are the 6 importance of first aid?

Conclusion on Bandaging and Moving Casualty

In conclusion, you have learned in this article the different types and ways to use bandages. Almost all bandaging techniques start and end with a few circular bandaging turns. You also learnt the different extrication techniques. In this post, we learnt how to use bandages, the different types of bandages. You also learned the different extrication techniques.