First Aid - Slings & Dressings

THE GRAND ARM SLING (g/a/s): *
Place an end of the triangular bandage around the victim's neck letting it pass over the shoulder on the wounded side while the other end fall on the chest. Slide then tip of the bandage under & lower then the elbow of the wounded arm.
The bandage base MUST just reach the finger tips. The tip of the bandage is brought back & attached to the other end on top of the shoulder using a flat knot. This knot is to be located in the hollow of the collar-bone on the side of the wound.
During all that time, the elbow of the wounded arm is maintained at right angle & the arm is supported either by the victim herself or by an assistant. We use this g/a/s/ for elbow or forearm wounds.

THE SMALL ARM-SLING:*
Place the wide bandage under the wrist of the injured arm in such way that one of his side is at the base of the little finger. Pass one of the bandage's ends around the victim's neck & let it fall on the shoulder of the wounded side. Pass the other end over the wrist of the injured arm & attach the two ends using a flat knot* since the use of flat knot ALWAYS goes with slings.
This knot is placed in the hollow of the neck over the collar- bone on the wounded side. This sling is used for wounds of the upper arm.

ST. JOHN SLING: *
Place the wounded forearm in diagonal over the chest, the fingers pointing toward the other shoulder.
Put over the arm a triangular bandage where the tip will be at the elbow & one hand will go over the intact shoulder. The superior side of the bandage MUST be parallel to the forearm. Slide the bandage base well over the forearm. Bring back the tip bottom end backward & tie the 2 tips in the hollow of the neck just over the collar-bone of the healthy side.
MAKE SURE that a well shape pocket supports the arm comfortably. Roll up the bandage tip around the elbow & pin it at the back of the arm.
WARNING!:
Since the bent elbow could hinder the blood circulation of the forearm, the pulse of this side MUST be frequently verify. Too thick clothing at the elbow is usually the cause for bad blood circulation.

TRIANGULAR BANDAGE NOTE:*
This bandage is useless if not applied very strongly. If you wet it before use, it will shrink a bit while drying thus exercise this way an equal pressure.

IMPROVISED SLINGS:
You can use the side of coat or a shirt with or without safety pins, a necktie, or using the uninjured one to support the sick one.

SHOULDER SLING:
Hold up the arm on the wounded side with a small sling. Put a triangular bandage open on the dressing, the tip under the knot's sling. Make a narrow crease at the base of the bandage & cross them in their ends around the upper part of the arm, then knot them on the exterior side. Bring back the tip over the shoulders knot & tie it strongly.

HEAD DRESSING:
Place a narrow hem at the base of the triangular bandage, place the centre of the base on the forehead just over the eyebrows, the bandage covering the head, the tip end toward the neck. Pass the ends around the head above the ears & cross them on the nape of the neck maintaining the tip end underneath. Bring back the crossed ends towards the forehead, knotting them on the forehead above the bandage base. Pull the end well ahead & pin it to the bandage.

EYE, EAR, CHEEK, FOREHEAD:
Put the centre of a narrow bandage over the dressing & roll it around the head, knotting the ends, if possible over the dressing

CHEST OR BACK:
Put the tip of the bandage over one shoulder, letting fall the bandage over the chest. Bring back the ends around the body, & knot them so that the knot is under the shoulder where the point is located. Now it remains a long end that you bring back toward the shoulder that you attach at the tip of the bandage. Use the same procedure for a back dressing.

ELBOW:
Usually it is not necessary to use a triangular bandage that is open to maintain a dressing on the elbow. Bring back the 2 ends together to reduce them by half Bend lightly the elbow, apply the dressing & put the bandage folded end toward the exterior of the arm over the elbow.
Turn the ends around the forearm, crossing them in the elbow crease, then bring them back behind the arm, above the elbow. Knot the ends, fold the end over the knot & pin it.

HAND:
Make a narrow fold at the base of the open bandage. Put the hand on the bandage, wound on top, fingers toward the point & the wrist at the centre of the base. Bring back the end over the hand up to the forearm. Fold the sides on one side or the other of the hand & arm. Cross the ends & turn them around the wrist; knot the ends. Bring back the end over the knot & pin it.

HIP:
Put a narrow bandage around the waist, knotting the ends on the wounded side. Slide the tip of open triangular bandage under this knot, letting the bandage fall back on the hip. Fold narrowly the base & bring back the ends around the thigh, so that you knot them on the exterior side. Slide the tip point of the bandage over the knot of the belt & pin it.

KNEE:
Put the open triangular bandage on the knee, the point toward the upper of the thigh. Fold slightly the base & turn the ends around the leg below the knee. Cross the ends behind the knee & bring them back over the thigh & below the knee, knot them, bring back the point over the knot & pin.

FOOT:
Place the foot on the open bandage, the toes toward the point & the heel at about 3 inches from the base. Bring back the point over the foot up to the leg. Fold the bandage sides on each side of the foot. Cross the ends on the foot, turn them around the ankle over the base of the bandage of the heel. Knot them at the front of the leg over the ankle & pint it.

JAWS:
Before putting a bandage on the jaw, remove any false teeth & put them in the victim's pocket. Put the bandage in a way as to let the jaw free to breath or mouth drainage. To avoid the complete closing of the mouth, place a stopper or plug of about 0.5cm thick between his teeth or gums.
This stopper will held at the exterior of the mouth by a few strings connected to the bandage itself. This will prevent the plug to slide into the mouth & choke or obstruct the breathing passage of the victim.

HANDS & FOOT DRESSING: *
In order to avoid friction or irritations, using absorbent material; separate well each fingers or toes before applying dressing & bandages.