TRIANGULAR BANDAGES

Triangular Bandages
A First Aid Kit will typically contain triangular bandages which are large, triangular pieces of material, with two sides about 1 metre long, and the third about 1.4 metres. 

Triangular bandages can be used as:
        ·       Collar & Cuff Sling
        ·       St John Sling
        ·       Full Arm Sling
        ·       Broad Bandage
        ·       Narrow Bandage
        ·       Pad

Triangular bandages: Collar & Cuff Sling 
The collar and cuff sling is useful for a casualty with a fracture of the upper arm or an injured hand.

Triangular bandages: St John Sling
The St John sling is useful for a casualty with an injured shoulder, collar bone, hand or fingers.

It is the best sling for shoulder and collarbone injuries because it supports the whole arm and takes the weight of the arm off the injured shoulder or collar bone.  In the case of hand or finger injuries, it can be used to elevate the injured part.

Triangular bandages: Full Arm Sling 
The full arm sling is used to support an injured forearm or wrist.

It is the best sling for these injuries because it forms a comfortable cradle which spreads the weight of the forearm evenly along its whole length.  This prevents the damaged parts from pushing together or pulling apart as they would if the other slings were used.

Triangular bandages: Broad Bandage
A broad bandage is simply a triangular bandage which is folded and used to tie on splints and dressings. 

First, you fold it in half, point to base. 

Then you fold it in half again.

You now have a broad bandage. 

Triangular bandage: Narrow Bandage
A narrow bandage has one more fold than the broad bandage and is mainly used for the collar & cuff sling. 

First, you fold it in half, point to base. 

Then you fold it in half again to make a broad bandage. 

Then you fold it in half again.

You now have a narrow bandage. 

Triangular bandage: Pad
If you do not have a sterile pad in your First Aid Kit, you can use a triangular bandage as a pad.

First, you fold it in half, point to base. 

Then you fold it in half again to make a broad bandage. 

Then you fold it in half again.

You now have a narrow bandage. 

Then fold the two ends into the middle. 

Now fold both ends into the middle again. 

Fold what is left in half to make a pad.

When a triangular bandage is folded like this, it is easy to store it in a first aid kit.

You can also use it in this form if you need to control bleeding.

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.

SLINGS

Slings

Slings are used to support an injured arm, or to supplement treatment for another injury such as fractured ribs. Generally, the most effective sling is made with a triangular bandage. Every first aid kit, no matter how small, should have at least two of these bandages as essential items.

Although triangular bandages are preferable, any material, ex. tie, belt, or piece of twine or rope, can be used in an emergency. If no likely material is to hand, and injured arm can be adequately supported by inserting it inside the casualty’s shirt or blouse. Similarly, a safety pin applied to a sleeve and secured to clothing on the chest may suffice.

There are essentially three types of sling; the arm sling for injuries to the forearm, the St John sling for injuries to the shoulder, and the ‘collar-and-cuff’ or clove hitch for injuries to the upper arm and as supplementary support to fractured ribs.

On application of any sling, always check the circulation to the limb by feeling for the pulse at the wrist, or squeezing a fingernail and observing for change of color in the nail bed.

The Arm Sling

1. Support the injured forearm approximately parallel to the ground with the wrist slightly higher than the elbow.

2. Place an open triangular bandage between the body and the arm, with its apex towards the elbow.

3. Extend the upper point of the bandage over the shoulder on the uninjured side.

4. Bring the lower point up over the arm, across the shoulder on the injured side to join the upper point and tie firmly with a reef knot.

5. Ensure the elbow is secured by folding the excess bandage over the elbow and securing with a safety pin.

St John Sling

1. Support the casualty’s arm with the elbow beside the body and the hand extended towards the uninjured shoulder.

2. Place an opened triangular bandage over the forearm and hand, with the apex towards the elbow.

3. Extend the upper point of the bandage over the uninjured shoulder.

4. Tuck the lower part of the bandage under the injured arm, bring it under the elbow and around the back and extend the lower point up to meet the upper point at the shoulder.

5. Tie firmly with a reef knot.

6. Secure the elbow by folding the excess material and applying a safety pin, then ensure that the sling is tucked under the arm giving firm support.

‘Collar-and-Cuff’ (Clove Hitch)

1. Allow the elbow to hang naturally at the side and place the hand extended towards the shoulder on the uninjured side.

2. Form a clove hitch by forming two loops — one towards you, one away from you.

3. Put the loops together by sliding your hands under the loops and closing with a “clapping” motion. If you are experienced at forming a clove hitch, then apply a clove hitch directly on the wrist, but take care not to move the injured arm.

4. Slide the clove hitch over the hand and gently pull it firmly to secure the wrist.

5. Extend the points of the bandage to either side of the neck and tie firmly with a reef knot.

6. Allow the arm to hang comfortably. Should further support be required, ex. For support to fractured ribs, apply triangular bandages around the body and upper arm to hold the arm firmly against the chest.

left hand shake

The left-handed Scout handshake is a formal way of greeting other Scouts of both genders used by members of Scout and Guide organizations around the world when greeting other Scouts. The handshake is made with the hand nearest the heart and is offered as a token of friendship. In most situations, the handshake is made firmly, without interlocking fingers, and many organizations only use this handshake when both people are in uniform.

Meaning of the left-hand

Various sources have attributed the origin of the handshake, as an ancient sign of bravery and respect, to Lord Baden-Powell‘s encounter after battle with Prempeh I, or to earlier published works by Ernest Thompson Seton. There exist various versions of the Prempeh story, all centering around African warriors using the left hand to hold their shields and to lower it and shake the left hand of the person was to show they trusted each other.

According to the Ashanti warrior version of the story, then-Colonel Baden-Powell saluted them with his right hand, but the Ashanti chiefs offered their left hands and said, “In our land only the bravest of the brave shake hands with the left hand, because to do so we must drop our shields and our protection.” The Ashantis knew of Baden-Powell’s bravery because they had fought against him and with him, and they were proud to offer the left hand of bravery.

The left hand is also closer to the heart, with that attendant symbology.

scout promise

Scout Promise (Oath)

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God^[1] and my country,
To help other people at all times,
And to obey the Scout/Guide Law.

[1] – The word “Dharma” may be substituted for the word “God” if so desired.

Scout Motto

Scout Motto

• Cubs/Bulbuls – Koshish Karo (Do your best)
• Scouts/Guides – Taiyar (Be Prepared)
• Rovers/Rangers – Seva (Service)

how to achieve this motto?

By being physically strong, morally straight and mentally awake.

scout law

Scout Law

1. A Scout is trustworthy
2. A Scout is loyal
3. A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout.
4. A Scout is courteous.
5. A Scout is a friend to animals and loves nature.
6. A Scout is disciplined and helps protect public property.
7. A Scout is courageous.
8. A Scout is thrifty.
9. A Scout is pure in thought, word and deed.

Note : There is only one scout law.

              The law has nine points.