to slip after it is in place, the dressing is no longersterile.Should an emergency arise when a sterile dressingis not available, the cleanest cloth at hand may beused—a freshly laundered handkerchief, towel, orshirt, for instance. Unfold these materials carefully sothat you do not touch the part that goes next to the skin.Always be ready to improvise when necessary, butnever put materials directly in contact with wounds ifthose materials are likely to stick to the wound, leavelint, or be difficult to remove.DEFINITION OF A BANDAGEStandard bandages are made of gauze or muslinand are used over a sterile dressing to secure thedressing in place, to close off its edge from dirt andgerms, and to create pressure on the wound and controlbleeding. A bandage can also support an injured part orsecure a splint. The most common types of bandagesare the roller and triangular bandages.Roller BandageThe roller bandage, shown in figure 3–2, consistsof a long strip of material (usually gauze, muslin, orelastic) that is wound into a cylindrical shape. Rollerbandages come in various widths and lengths. Most ofthe roller bandages in the first aid kits have beensterilized, so pieces may be cut off and used ascompresses in direct contact with wounds. If you use apiece of roller bandage in this manner, you must becareful not to touch it with your hands or with any otherunsterile object.GENERAL APPLICATION.—In applying aroller bandage, hold the roll in the right hand so that theloose end is on the bottom; the outside surface of theloose or initial end is next applied to and held on thebody part by the left hand. The roll is then passedaround the body part by the right hand, which controlsthe tension and application of the bandage. Two orthree of the initial turns of a roller bandage shouldoverlie each other to properly secure the bandage (seefigure 3–3).In applying the turns of the bandage, it is oftennecessary to transfer the roll from one hand to the3-3AMBULANCE EMERGENCY BAG CONTENTSRegular drip IVtubingAmbu bag Syrup of IpecacMini drip IV tubing Trach adaptor Ace® wrapIV extension tubing Suction tubing Klings®19-gauge butterflies Straight &Y-connectorArm slings18-gauge Medicut® Toomey syringe Safety pins16-gauge Medicut® 10cc syringe Tongue bladesTourniquet 20-gauge needles TapeAdult oxygen mask Alcohol swabs StethoscopeNasal cannula Examinationgloves4 x 4’sOxygen tubing Sodium ChlorideampulesLubricantAirways (varioussizes)Ammonia ampules Grease pencilTable 3-2.—Ambulance Emergency Bag ContentsUNIT ONE BAG CONTENTSOne roll wire fabric, 5" x 36" One tourniquetTwo bottles of aspirin, 324 mg,100sOne pair scissors, bandageThree packages of morphineinj., 1/4 g, 5sSix packages of plastic stripbandages, 6sOne bottle tetracainehydrochloride ophthalmic sol.Three bottlespovidone-iodine solution,1/2 fl ozOne airway, plastic, adult/childOne thermometer, oralTwo packages atropine inj.,12sOne card of safety pins,medium, 12sTwo muslin triangularbandagesTwo books field medicalcardsTwo medium battle dressings,7 1/4" x 8"One surgical instrumentset, minor surgeryEight small battle dressings4" x 7"One pencil, black lead,mechanicalOne roll adhesive tape,3 in x 5 ydsTwo packages gauze,rolled, 3 in x 5 ydsTable 3–3.—Unit One Bag ContentsFigure 3–1.—Commonly used styles of dressings.
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