How to use a Triangular Bandage
Triangular bandages are an essential part of any first aid kit due to their effectiveness and versatility. Having information on triangular bandage usage will help you make the right first aid treatment decisions in an emergency. Having the knowledge to ensure you are applying a triangular bandage effectively and safely can have a significant impact on a casualty’s comfort and injury recovery.
In this article, we will cover the different uses of this versatile bandage and take you through everything you need to know about how to put on triangular bandage safely. Take note of our step-by-step triangular bandage instructions so you can be confident that you can master the use of triangular bandage in first aid.
What are triangular bandages used for?
With such a wide range of bandages to choose from, it’s important to know why triangular bandage uses are so popular and what purposes they are designed for. Single-use, non-woven triangular bandages are used for several reasons, and there are many different triangular bandage uses in first aid.
Our great value non-woven version is a popular choice for first aid as it is made from a strong, non-stretch material capable of supporting different body areas and providing absorbent padding if required.
Take a look at our answers to the question” what can a triangular bandage be used for?” below.
How to use a Triangular Bandage as an Arm Sling and for Limb Elevation
The most common reason for folding a triangular bandage to use for first aid treatment is to make a supportive and protective sling. The intent behind making a sling from a triangular bandage is to secure an injured arm to the body to reduce the risk of further damage or to support it while recovering from a break, fracture, or sprain.
However, it’s also important to know how to make a sling from triangular bandage that could also be secured around an injured leg to keep it elevated to reduce swelling or to immobilise it to minimise further injury while awaiting treatment.
Later in this article, we will take you through how to make an arm sling with a triangular bandage step by step. A similar approach should be taken when making a sling from a triangular bandage for a leg. Always check in with the casualty you are treating and regularly monitor blood flow in the extended limb.
Remember that for anyone recovering from a broken or fractured arm, elbow, shoulder, and even wrist, you should know how to make a sling with a triangular bandage, or at least how to put on triangular bandage slings every day while the patient recovers. Slings are a common method that’s recommended to protect your injury and promote healing whether you’re wearing a cast, tubular compression bandage, crepe bandage, or strapping.
Create an Improvised Tourniquet with a Triangular Bandage
In emergency situations where a casualty has suffered a serious injury and their bleeding is life-threatening, you can make a basic improvised tourniquet with a triangular bandage if you don’t have a specially designed tourniquet to hand. The intention behind using a tourniquet is to completely cut off blood circulation to a wound on an arm, leg, or even where a limb is missing.
Later on in this article, we will take you through tourniquet bandaging techniques using triangular bandage in an emergency. Learning how to use a triangular bandage as an improvised tourniquet to stop life-threatening bleeding can significantly improve a casualty’s chances of survival.
Secure a Splint with a Triangular Bandage
In some first aid emergencies, injuries such as dislocations, fractures and broken bones will require a splint to protect the injured body from further damage. A splint is essentially a short-term measure where a rigid item (such as a stick, board, table knife, or even rolled up newspaper) is attached alongside the injured area to immobilise the body part until professional medical attention can be received.
The splint needs to be carefully and accurately secured around both ends of the injured area in order to be effective. A trained first aider should have a good idea of how to tie a triangular bandage in place to secure the splint in a first aid emergency when other equipment such as medical tape, microporous tape, or zinc-oxide tape is not available. Ensure you don’t tie the triangular bandage too tightly, as this will reduce or stop blood flow and cause further damage.
Treat a Head Injury with a Triangular Bandage, including Burns
When a first aider is faced with treating a head injury such as a wound, burn, or scald, the ideal choice would be to use a roller bandage such as a crepe bandage or elasticated bandage which offers more stretch and flexibility than a non-woven triangular bandage.
However, when there are limited options in an emergency, you could use a triangular bandage to treat burns or scald wounds on a casualty’s head. Dress the burnt area with burn trauma hydrogel and a burn wound dressing or burn face mask, then secure this in place with a triangular bandage that can be left loose around the top of the head to encourage blood circulation and remain as comfortable as possible.
It’s important to note that if you don’t know how to wrap a triangular bandage around a splint or head injury, seek professional medical advice as soon as possible. Any reduction in blood circulation due to the incorrect application could cause serious harm to the casualty.
Support a Sprained Ankle with a Triangular Bandage
First aiders should learn how to make a sling out of a triangular bandage for sprained ankle treatment alongside other first aid products, including instant ice packs and cohesive bandages, crepe bandages, or zinc oxide tape.
Some people think they know how to fit a triangular bandage to support an ankle joint when injured. However, expert advice on how to use triangular bandage for ankle treatment is to use it as a sling to elevate the limb rather than wrap around the ankle. This elevation will boost blood circulation and reduce swelling as part of the Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate (RICE) method. By making a sling from a triangular bandage to support and protect a recovering sprained ankle, you will be using a triangular bandage safely and correctly alongside other suitable first aid products.
Check out our step-by-step triangular bandage sling instructions below to get an idea of how to make a sling to elevate a limb correctly.
How to use a Triangular Bandage to Make an Arm Sling With a Triangular Bandage
The most universally recognised purpose of triangular bandage use is to make an arm sling. Triangular bandage products are non-stretch and supportive so they are an obvious choice to protect and support an injured arm.
St John’s Ambulance describes the purpose of an arm sling as
“An arm sling holds the forearm in a raised or horizontal position and can support an injured upper arm, forearm and wrist. The sling is also a useful visual warning to others that someone is injured.”
Whether you’re a first aider treating a casualty with an arm injury, or a medical professional fitting a person with a cast, follow the triangular bandage arm sling instructions below, so you know how to put on triangular bandage safely.
How to Make a Tourniquet With a Triangular Bandage
Having an idea of the correct method for putting on a triangular bandage as an improvised tourniquet could save a life by reducing life-threatening bleeding. Take the time to familiarise yourself with how to assess bleeding and how to do triangular bandage tourniquets in an emergency.
If you aren’t sure whether a casualty is exhibiting life-threatening bleeding, look out for these signs to help assess the kind of emergency first aid that is required.
Life-threatening bleeding signs:
- Blood is spurting or pouring from a wound
- The casualty is missing all or part of a limb as a result of the injury
- The casualty is dizzy or falling unconscious
- The casualty’s clothes are visibility soaked in blood
- Bandages covering the wound area are soaked in blood
If any or all of these signs are evident, you should follow the ABC method:
A – Alert (call 999 or get a bystander to alert emergency services)
B – Bleeding (assess how much, how fast, and what areas of the body it is coming from)
C – Compress (apply firm, consistent pressure to the wound site to slow down and stop the blood flow)
If the blood flow isn’t slowing down or stopping from pressure applied from your hands and body weight, you may need to create an improvised tourniquet by tying a triangular bandage around the upper limb and tightening it.
Only if you are trained to do so you can use a tourniquet to help prevent severe bleeding from a limb. Tourniquets should only be used as a last resort to save a life. If applied incorrectly, it can lead to further injury or even loss of limbs.
Tourniquets are only safe for use on a bleeding arm or leg, never the torso, abdomen, or neck. Its placement should always be above the wound site and positioned above the arm or knee joint.
Applying a tourniquet successfully is going to cause the casualty intense pain. This is because it stops the blood flow to that area of the body and needs to be very tight. Make sure you warn the casualty about this, but let them know that it could save their life.
Follow the triangular bandage tutorial below step by step to make an improvised tourniquet:
- Put on gloves if you have them—this will help to protect you and the casualty from infection.
- Fold up a triangular bandage into a long length of thick fabric, with a minimum width of around 5cm.
- Place the triangular bandage on the upper arm or leg, above the elbow or knee, not too close to the joint. Tie the improvised tourniquet around the arm in a simple, tight knot.
- Find something hard and of a sufficient length that can be tied over the knot on the tourniquet that you will be able to twist to tighten the tourniquet effectively – use something like a metal table knife or strong stick (avoid using an item such as a pen that could break under intense pressure).
Most first aid kits will contain a pair of tuff cut scissors. These are a good option to use for tightening the tourniquet but bear in mind that you won’t be able to use them for anything else after securing the tourniquet as they will be wrapped up inside to stop the bleeding. Tie your chosen item, such as a table knife, in place directly over the knot that is securing the triangular bandage around the arm. - Begin twisting the knife or stick continuously in the same direction to tighten the improvised tourniquet and reduce blood flow beyond its position. You will need to warn the casualty that this is going to hurt, and make sure to keep reassuring them that this is an essential measure that could save their life.
- Make sure to monitor the wound and how much blood is flowing out. If blood is still flowing from the wound, you must continue twisting and apply more pressure to the tourniquet.
- Once blood flow from the wound has stopped, you have tightened the tourniquet enough and can secure the knot in place firmly. Wrap the tails of the and triangular bandage around the ends of the knife or stick, and wrap around the underneath of the limb too, keeping the tourniquet from twisting and loosening.
- Once complete, make sure that the tourniquet is uncovered and clearly visible to anyone who will be treating the casualty. Never loosen or remove the improvised tourniquet until emergency medical professionals have assessed the situation and have taken over treatment of the casualty.
How to Use Triangular Bandage for Ankle Sprains
Some people misunderstand how to use triangular bandage for ankle sprain treatment. In general, a triangular bandage is not the first choice for treating ankle sprains.
Generally, a sprained ankle requires RICE therapy. The “compression” stage of RICE therapy is best approached using a cohesive bandage or elastic crepe roller bandage wrapped around the joint to offer support while pressure is applied continuously.
However, when it comes to the “elevate” stage of RICE therapy, knowing how to do a sling with a triangular bandage to support the leg and hold it about heart level can significantly improve injury recovery and keep the casualty comfortable.
NHS guidance on how to fold triangular bandage to support a lower limb advises that you should:
“fold it in half horizontally so the point of the triangle touches the middle of the long edge. Then fold it in half again in the same direction to make a broad strip”
This means that the triangular bandage is broad enough to support a limb comfortably and will not cut off blood circulation while the leg is elevated. However, still continue to monitor blood circulation in the foot by pressing on the nail bed and checking that colour returns within 2-3 seconds.
So, while professionals advise against tying a triangular bandage tightly around a sprained ankle, knowing how to use a triangular bandage as a sling could be useful in the event of a first aid emergency or sports injury.
Where can I find a triangular bandage for first aid?
You will be able to find single-use non-woven triangular bandages, as well as longer-lasting reusable triangular bandages in most well-stocked first aid kits.
Steroplast is a leading supplier of medical and first aid products across the UK. You can stock up on essential wound dressings and bandages on our website.
For more information on first aid kit essentials and what different specialist first aid kits provide, Check our our range of First Aid Products and Supplies.
