ROLLER BANDAGES

Roller Bandages
Roller bandages are long strips of material which are rolled up for easy use.  They come in different widths and material.

Roller Bandages: Gauze or Cotton Roller Bandage
Gauze and cotton bandages are non-conforming.
This means that they do not stretch, and will not mould around the part of the body to which they are applied.

Non-conforming bandages do not stay on very well.
If you have both types of bandage in your first aid kit, it is best to use the conforming bandages first. 

Roller Bandages: Conforming Roller Bandage
Conforming bandages are designed to stretch.
This allows them to mould to the shape of the parts to which they are applied.

Conforming bandages can be used on their own to provide support to an injured joint or muscle.
They can also secure pads and dressings, when this is necessary to control bleeding.

Applying Roller Bandages
All roller bandages should be applied in the following manner.

        1.  Hold the bandage so that the head or rolled part is on top and the tail is pointing inward.

        2.  Pass the rolled part from hand to hand, allowing it to unroll as you go. Make sure that each turn overlaps the last by two thirds of its width.

        3.  Fasten the end with tape or tuck the end in and check that the bandage is not too tight. 

Improvising
There may be occasions where you need to give first aid to a sick or injured person but no first aid kit is available. 

If a kit is not available, you will need to improvise first aid equipment, by using whatever you can find.

For example, a broomstick or umbrella could be used to splint a fractured limb.
A couple of T-shirts could be used as padding around an injury. 

You should not let the absence of a first aid kit prevent you from offering first aid to a casualty. 

Improvising
If you needed to improvise a dressing for a person with a cut on their hand you would use a handkerchief. A clean handkerchief makes an excellent pad or dressing for small wounds.

If you needed to improvise a bandage you could use stockings. Clean pantyhose or stockings make excellent short bandages.

If you needed to improvise a splint for a suspected fractured arm you would use a newspaper. A newspaper makes a useful splint because when it is folded and creased it becomes quite solid and will support and immobilise a fracture very well.

If you needed to improvise a sling for a person with an injured upper arm you would use a belt. The belt would make an ideal sling because it will easily take the weight of the arm. Because it is fairly wide, it is also less likely to interfere with circulation.