How to use a triangular bandage:
The materials for bandaging include both standardized materials (such as triangular bandages, four-tailed bandages, gauze bandages, etc.) and improvised materials. The following mainly introduces the basic uses of triangular bandages. Specifically:
Triangular bandages are simple to make, convenient to use, easy to master, and offer a large coverage area. They are not only good materials for bandaging, but can also be used to secure splints, dress wounds, and serve as substitutes for tourniquets. To use a triangular bandage first aid kit, first tear open the outer packaging, then unfold the triangular bandage and place the sterilized dressing inside over the wound before bandaging. The triangular bandage can also be folded into strips, swallowtail shapes, double swallowtails, or butterfly shapes. These shapes are commonly used for wrapping areas such as the shoulders, chest, groin, and buttocks. When using a triangular bandage, the knots tied at the two base corners should be surgical knots, which are relatively secure and can be quickly undone by pulling one side and its base corner straight.
(1) Head bandaging method
① Headscarf-style bandaging method: Place the midpoint of the base edge of the triangular bandage just above the eyebrows, bring the apex down over the head to the back of the neck, then pull the base edges backward over both ears and tighten them. Cross them at the back of the head, tuck them under the hanging base corners, cross again over the ears, and pull them forward to the forehead. Tie them tightly and secure the apex either by tucking it upward under the base edge or by using a safety pin or adhesive tape.
② Bandaging method for protruding brain tissue: If brain tissue is protruding from a wound, do not apply pressure. First, cover it with a large piece of sterilized moist gauze, then roll up some gauze into a protective ring to encircle the protruding brain tissue, and finally bandage it with a triangular bandage.
③ Vertex-to-chin bandaging method: Align the base edge of the triangular bandage with the eyebrows, bring the apex backward to cover the head, pull both base corners up over the ears to the back of the head, cross them over the apex at the back of the head, then bring them forward under both earlobes. One base corner wraps around the chin to the front of the opposite earlobe, crosses with the other base corner, then goes up over both ears to the top of the head to tie. Finally, fold the apex back over the top of the head and tie it together with the two base corners.
(2) Facial bandaging method
① Single-side facial bandaging method: Fold the triangular bandage into two layers. With one hand, press the apex over the healthy eyebrow of the injured person; with the other hand, bring half of the base edge over the ear and around to the back of the head. Tie the base corner with the apex, then fold the other half of the base edge downward to cover the face, and wrap it under the chin, tying the base corner with the apex over the ear.
② Mask-style bandaging method: Used for extensive facial injuries or burns. The method involves tying the apex of the triangular bandage at the chin, covering the face and head, and pulling it to the back of the neck. Cross and tighten the ends of the base edge at the forehead and tie them. Then cut holes or windows for the mouth, nose, and eyes.
(3) Eye bandaging method
① Single-eye bandaging method: Fold the triangular bandage into a four-finger-wide strip, place two-thirds of it diagonally over the injured eye, bring the longer lower end around the back of the head over the healthy upper end, continue wrapping it to the healthy temple, then fold the shorter upper end back over the back of the head to the healthy temple and tie it with the longer end.
② Both-eyes bandaging method: Fold the triangular bandage into a four-finger-wide strip, place the center part over one injured eye, bring the lower end under the ear to the back of the head, then over the opposite ear to the area above the eyebrows to press down on the upper end. Continue wrapping it around the head to the front of the opposite ear, fold the upper end back diagonally downward to cover the other injured eye, then wrap it under the ear and tie it with the other end at the opposite ear or back of the head. Alternatively, you can use the strip to cross and bandage. For both-eyes bandaging, you can also fold the triangular bandage into a four-finger-wide strip, wrap it horizontally around the head twice, and tie it at one side.
(4) Chest and back bandaging method
① One-side chest injury bandaging method: If the injury is on the right chest, place the apex of the triangular bandage on the right shoulder, then pull both base corners from the armpits to the back (the left side should be longer) and tie them. Then pull the apex over the shoulder and tie it with the two base corners. Or use the small strap on the apex to tie it. If the injury is on the left chest, place the apex on the left shoulder. The same method applies to the left or right back, except the knot should be tied on the front of the chest.
② Full chest bandaging method: Cut a large triangular bandage vertically about 25–30 cm from the center of the apex, place each cut end on the left and right sides of the neck, then tie a half-knot with the left and right base corners at the back. Lift the two ends of this knot upward and tie them with the two ends of the cut apex.
(5) Shoulder bandaging method
Place the center of the triangular bandage on the shoulder, with the apex toward the neck and the base edge folded to a width of two finger-widths and placed horizontally over the upper arm. Wrap both ends around the upper arm on the outside and tie them. Then pull the apex tightly, wrap it around the back, under the opposite armpit, and toward the injured armpit. Secure it with a strap and tie it with the two base corners.
(6) Abdominal bandaging method
Place the triangular bandage horizontally over the abdomen with the apex facing downward and the base edge at the navel. Pull the base corners tightly around to the back and tie them. Bring the apex through the perineum to above the buttocks and tie it with the remaining ends of the base corners. This method can also be used to bandage the buttocks, with the difference being that the apex and both base corners are tied over the abdomen.
(7) One-side buttock bandaging method
Place the triangular bandage on the outer side of the thigh, with the center facing the root of the thigh. Wrap the apex strap around and tie it, then flip the lower corner upward and tie it to the healthy iliac crest with the front corner.
(8) Limb bandaging method
① Forearm and upper arm bandaging method: This method is used for large-area injuries on the upper limb, such as burns. Tie one base corner of the triangular bandage into a knot and place it on the injured hand, leaving a slightly longer end for later use. Pull the other base corner along the back of the arm to the opposite shoulder, wrap the apex around the injured limb, bend the forearm to the chest, pull the two base corners tightly, and tie them to provide a sling effect.
② Hand bandaging method: Place the injured hand flat in the center of the triangular bandage, with the fingers pointing toward the apex. Place the base edge horizontally over the wrist, then fold the apex back over the hand and to the back of the hand. Cross the left and right base corners upward over the palm or back of the hand to the sides of the wrist and tie them.
③ Foot bandaging method: Similar to the hand bandaging method.
④ Lower leg and below bandaging method: Place the foot toward the base edge of the triangular bandage, position the foot near one base corner, lift the apex and cross it with the longer base corner to wrap around the calf and tie it. Then fold the other base corner up to the top of the foot, wrap it around the ankle, and tie it with the base edge.
⑤Knee Bandaging Method: Fold the triangular bandage into a strap of appropriate width based on the injury. Place the middle section of the strap diagonally over the injured area, with both ends pressing down on the upper and lower edges respectively. Cross the ends behind the knee—one going upward and the other downward—wrap around and tie a knot behind the knee in an "8" shape.
⑥Thigh Root Bandaging Method: Fold the apex and the middle part of the base (slightly off to one side) of the triangular bandage, and use the folded edge to wrap around the root of the thigh. Tie a knot on the inner side of the thigh. Bring both base corners upward—one in front and one behind, with the rear corner longer than the front—and pull them toward the opposite side. Tie a knot on the iliac crest of the opposite side.
(9) Triangular Bandage Sling
①Large Arm Sling
Bend the forearm and suspend it in front of the chest using a triangular bandage. This is called a sling, used for injuries and fractures of the forearm. The method involves placing the triangular bandage on the healthy side of the chest, with the base parallel to the torso. The top end crosses over the shoulder, and the apex faces the elbow of the injured arm. Bend the injured arm at a right angle and place it in the middle of the bandage. The bottom end wraps around the injured arm, folds back over the injured shoulder, and both ends are tied behind the neck or to the side. Then fold the apex back and secure it with a safety pin.
②Small Arm Sling
Fold the triangular bandage into a strap to suspend the front part of the forearm (without supporting the elbow), suitable for shoulder joint injuries, clavicle and humerus fractures. Technical support provided by Hangzhou Keluo Company.