A bandage is a piece of material used either to support a medical

device such as a dressing or splint, or on its own to provide support to the body. Bandages are
available in a wide range of types, from generic cloth strips, to specialised shaped bandages
designed for a specific limb or part of the body, although bandages can often be improvised as
the situation demands, using clothing, blankets or other material.

In colloquial American English, the word "bandage" is often used to mean a dressing, which is
used directly on a wound, whereas a bandage is technically only used to support a dressing, and
not directly on a wound.

Gauze bandage
The most common type of bandage is the gauze bandage, a simple woven strip of material, or a
woven strip of material with a Telfa absorbent barrier to prevent adhering to wounds, which can
come in any number of widths and lengths. A gauze bandage can be used for almost any bandage
application, including holding a dressing in place

Compression bandage
The term 'compression bandage' describes a wide variety of bandages with many different
applications.

Short stretch compression bandages are good for protecting wounds on one's hands, especially
on one's fingers.
Short stretch compression bandages are applied to a limb (usually for treatment of
lymphedema or venous ulcers). This type of bandage that is capable of shortening around the
limb after application and is therefore not exerting ever-increasing pressure during inactivity.
This dynamic is called resting pressure and is considered safe and comfortable for long-term
treatment. Conversely, the stability of the bandage creates a very high resistance to stretch when
pressure is applied through internal muscle contraction and joint movement. This force is called
working pressure.

Long stretch compression bandages have long stretch properties, meaning their high
compressive power can be easily adjusted. However, they also have a very high resting pressure
and must be removed at night or if the patient is in a resting position.

Triangular bandage
Main article: Esmarch bandage

Also known as a cravat bandage, a triangular bandage is a piece of cloth cut into a right-angled
triangle, and often provided with safety pins to secure it in place. It can be used fully unrolled as
a sling, folded as a normal bandage, or for specialized applications, as on the head. One
advantage of this type of Bandage is that it can be makeshift and made from a fabric scrap or a
piece of a t-shirt. The Boy Scouts popularized use of this bandage in many of their first aid
lessons. They carry a cravat bandage with their uniform in the form of a neckerchief. When used
to make a sling, for humerus or forearm fractures, it is best to tie the middle point. This goes
under the elbow to help secure and restrict further movement of the arm. Next, take one of the
long ends of the triangle bandage and tuck it under the arm. Then pull it over the injured
shoulder and behind the neck. The other long end should be placed over the opposite should and
tied with the other end on the side of the neck (not the back of the neck because of the pressure it
places on it). Make sure the sling covers the arm from the elbow to or a little beyond the hand.
To be nice you can also place something round in their hand and place in functioning position.

[edit] Tube bandage

A tube bandage is applied using an applicator, and is woven in a continuous circle. It is used to
hold dressings or splints on to limbs, or to provide support to sprains and strains, and it stops the
bleeding.