The fingertip bandage has a narrow center with wide adhesive flaps. The narrow "waist" allows it to cover a curved surface without wrinkling. Some uses for this bandage are:
    1. protecting a shallow laceration of the fingertip or thumb tip
    2. covering a cut or abrasion between the fingers or toes
    3. protecting a loose fingernail or toenail (partial nail avulsion)
    4. covering a small chin or nose abrasion

A laceration may be treatable at home if:
    1. there is no protruding fat (see the section on injuries)
    2. the laceration stops bleeding rapidly (within ten minutes)
    3. the edges appear to match perfectly
    4. the cut doesn't open with traction on nearby skin
    5. the edges don't separate with use of the injured part
    6. the area is not "tricky" or critical (such as face, genitals or knuckle)
    7. there is no numbness, weakness, or difficulty moving the injured area

The knuckle bandage has four adhesive flaps. The flaps allow the bandage to remain secure on a curved or moving area. Some uses for this bandage are:
    1. protecting a shallow laceration on a knuckle
    2. covering an abrasion on a "curve" like the heel or chin
    3. covering an abrasion or cut on the back of the elbow
    4. covering any area where the skin stretches or moves

A large plastic or fabric bandage can be used to cover a wound of intermediate size. This usually will be a skin surface injury such an abrasion or superficial burn. To cover and protect, the injury area must be fairly flat. The bandage comes in variable sizes, but typically wil be around 2x3 inches.

Sample uses for this bandage could include:
    1. an open wound (such as an abrasion) on the thigh
    2. a scrape on the shoulder
    3. a small burn on the trunk or thigh
A bandage of this type does NOT provide adequate protection for a large laceration, because it doesn't provide any compression or traction to keep the cut closed.

A standard plastic or cloth bandage can be used to cover a simple, small wound. This is the type of dressing that's commonly called a "band-aid." The wound must NOT need padding or compression. A plastic bandage should only be used over a non-moving area -- for example, the space between the knuckles on the shaft of a finger is OK; between the fingers or over a knuckle is NOT.

Sample uses of bandage strips include:
    1. a small shallow puncture wound that is not bleeding
    2. A partial thickness laceration on a finger (not over the knuckle)
    3. a tiny abrasion on a non-moving area
Plastic strips are NOT appropriate for wounds where the skin stretches with motion -- for example on the back of the elbow or underside of the wrist. They're NOT to be used on lacerations that require intervention to close.

Cloth bandages are more flexible over moving parts. But they tend to fray and unroll from the wound. The adhesive on a cloth bandage is more likely to leave a residue. So for many cuts, a plastic bandage may be the better choice. But where the cloth bandage works, it's wonderful.

A butterfly bandage is used to pull the edges of a short laceration together. Typically, a butterfly is used for a small cut that tends to gape a bit. The edges of the cut must be sharp, not rough or irregular. (See the laceration information in the injuries section.)

Because the butterfly dressing does NOT stretch, it can only be used where the skin will not stretch or shift while the wound heals. In general, steri-strip closure is preferred to butterfly bandages.

To place the butterfly, the laceration edges are pushed together. The strip is placed across the wound (long direction of the strip aiming 90 degrees opposite the long direction of the cut). One side is pressed firmly into place, with the narrow waist lying directly over the cut. Then the second "paddle" is pushed onto the skin. The butterfly is left in place while the cut heals. It's usually best to protect the butterfly by covering it with a gauze pad and a kling wrap.

Steri-Strips (TM 3M) are an example of wound closure tapes. They are ideal for partial thickness cuts. Steris are more flexible than a butterfly bandage, can be used in more places on the body, and can close longer lacerations.

After cleaning the laceration, dry the surrounding skin. Apply benzoin tincture to the skin (don't get it in the cut). Cut the strips, then push the laceration edges together. Place strips across the wound (long direction of the strip aiming 90 degrees opposite the long direction of the cut). Protect with gauze (without antibiotic ointment) and a wrap.

The steris can be left in place while the heals. Steri-Strips may not provide good long-term protection in areas where the skin shifts or stretches (underside of the wrist, back of the elbow). The only disadvantage is: they're not as easy to find as butterfly bandages, and they're more expensive.

Non-adherent pads are useful to cover open wounds such as burns and abrasions. The brand known best is Telfa. The pad keeps the dressing from sticking to the wound.

After cleaning the wound, antibiotic ointment is applied. Be sure the patient isn't allergic to the antibiotic. The non-stick pad is placed next, then a gauze pad to cushion and protect. A kling wrap keeps the gauze in place.

Gauze pads cushion and protect wounds. They also prevent dryness in an open wound. (The gauze pad shouldn't be placed directly on an open wound, because it will stick.) The gauze pads have a loose weave, so blood and fluids can ooze pass through to be absorbed.

To construct a dressing, first place a non-stick pad. Put the gauze directly over top. Bind it down with a roller gauze (kling wrap). If you need compression (either to prevent swelling or bleeding, or to keep the bandage in place), add an elastic wrap or Coban wrap. Otherwise, apply just enough tape to keep the dressing in place.

Padding roll gauze is very useful to cushion large wounds. It's often called "Kerlix," which is a specific brand. It can be used in place of a kling wrap in the dressing, and for many wounds provides enough padding that gauze pads are not required. It absorbs ooze or blood, and prevents dryness in an open wound.

The padding roll gauze can also be used under compression dressings, for example to "smooth out" the compression force as an elastic wrap compresses a sprained ankle. Apply it under the elastic wrap.

While lady bikers may carry a napkin or panty-liner for "emergencies" on the trail, there are other uses. The pad is sterile, absorbent, doesn't gum up and stick to the wound like toilet paper, and removes in one piece.

The pad makes an excellent temporary dressing. It can also be used as padding over an injury. It's large enough to give a sterile covering for a big wound, open fractures, or exposed viscera.

Guys: The only drawback to taking your wife's "emergency supply" from the glove compartment is that -- admit it -- most of you would rather bleed to death or die of infection than be seen with it.

The multi-trauma dressing can be used as padding, or as coverage. Coming in various sizes, these dressings unfold to cover (for example) the entire chest or abdomen.

The large size makes it useful for covering large areas of burn or abrasion while you travel to a medical facility. It can be used to cover exposed viscera. The dressing can be used to pad an injured arm or leg inside a splint.

Eye pads are padded dressings for the eye. Eye pads are used to keep the eye shut following minor eye injuries such as a corneal abrasion. Depending on the depth of the eye socket, you may have to fold a pad in half to get the right amount of pressure.

The eye pad is taped in place. Run the bands of tape in an oblique direction: aim the top end for the middle of the front hairline and the bottom end for the angle of the jaw.

NOTE: You should NOT tape an eye pad over an eye that may have been punctured, or that has an impaled object. Instead, tape a paper drinking cup (with the open end facing the eye) over the eye.

Eye pads can also be used to provide local pressure over a wound. For example, to get control of bleeding in a puncture wound: place a couple of eye pads directly over it, secure it with a kling wrap, then use a compression wrap to apply pressure.

Roller gauze is used to secure dressings. This type of bandage is called a kling wrap. Pick a size appropriate to the wound, and to the body part you'll be bandaging. For example, a 1 inch roll is appropriate for fingers, while a 3 inch roll is about right for the upper arm.

To construct a dressing, first place a non-stick pad. Put the gauze pad directly over top. Bind it down with your roller gauze. If you need compression (either to prevent swelling or bleeding, or to keep the bandage in place), add an elastic wrap or Coban wrap. Otherwise, apply just enough tape to keep the dressing in place.

Padding roll gauze is very useful to cushion large wounds. It's often called "Kerlix," which is a specific brand. It can be used in place of a kling wrap in the dressing. It absorbs ooze or blood, and prevents dryness in an open wound.

The padding roll gauze can also be used for compression dressings, for example to compress a sprained ankle. Apply it under the elastic wrap.

To construct a dressing, first place antibiotic ointment, then a non-stick pad. Put a gauze pad directly over top. Bind it down with the padding roll gauze. If you need compression (either to prevent swelling or bleeding, or to keep the bandage in place), add an elastic wrap or Coban wrap. Otherwise, apply just enough tape to keep the dressing in place.

Coban is a sample brand of self-adherent compression wrap. It sticks to itself, but does NOT stick to you. It can be used in many of the situations where you would use an elastic bandage (ace wrap). It's lighter and more conforming to your shape.

Example uses for Coban wrap would be:
    1. compression of a healing shin muscle strain during sports
    2. support for a healing wrist sprain at work
    3. placement over a kling wrap to compress an injury
    4. strategic covering of "hot spots" and blisters

Coban does not always rip cleanly. If you're having trouble tearing it, use your scissors to cut it to the right length. In general, the wrap should be tightest at the end that's furthest from the heart.

Watch for signs that the wrap is too tight -- such as swelling, numbness, discoloration, or pain "downstream" from the wrap. Coban contains latex, to which some people are allergic.

Often called an "ace wrap," the elastic bandage is a roll of loose-weave cloth containing elastic strands. Wrapped around the extremity or trunk, it squeezes the underlying tissues.

Its uses are:

    1. compression of injuries such as a sprain or bruise
    2. elastic immobilization or support of injured parts
    3. securing the dressing on a large open wound
    4. control of bleeding in wounds or fractures
    5. symptom control in rib fracture

Select a size appropriate to the injured part: adult wrist = 2 inch, adult ankle = 4 inch, adult thigh or chest = 6 inch. In general, the wrap should be tightest at the end that's furthest away from your heart. Be careful that the wrap doesn't cut off circulation -- watch for swelling, discoloration, increasing pain, or numbness "downstream" from the wrap.

Tape can be used to secure a dressing, but it's not the ideal choice. (A kling wrap secured with self-adhering wrap such as Coban is ideal. But tape may be useful when pressure is needed on a finger wound, or when you need a little extra security to keep a dressing from unraveling. I no longer carry tape in my first aid kit, using Coban instead.

Cloth tape is made to have excellent strength, yet still be "tearable." The tape can be used for:
    1. securing a dressing
    2. taping a splint
    3. "sticky pickup" of glass fragments from the skin
    4. taping a joint for stability
To tear the tape, use a sideways "shearing" force.

A bendable aluminum splint can be used to immobilize finger injuries. Some types of this splint have a foam strip glued to the metal for cushioning. But obviously, this is something you won't be doing out in the woods before riding your bike home.

Sample uses:
    1. immobilizing a laceration over a finger joint
    2. treating minor finger sprains.
    3. treating finger tendon strain
The splint can be cut to length with your EMT snips. Bend it to the position desired; the finger is usually most comfortable in a "half-bent" position. The splint is secured with bands of tape.

The triangular bandage's primary use is as a sling. But it can be surprisingly handy. The triangular bandage can also be used as a tie for a splint on the arm or leg. It can be used as a wrap to secure a dressing. In a pinch, it can even replace a broken helmet strap.

Unfold the cloth. Bring the long ends together around the neck, with the pointy end at the elbow. Secure it with a knot or pen. Keep the elbow from sliding out by typing a knot, pinning the flap, or tucking the extra cloth in.