TRIANGULAR BANDAGE

Triangular bandage is also known as the handkerchief bandage. This is used for temporary or
permanent dressing of wounds, fractures, dislocations, etc., and for slings made up of cotton or muslin
cloth. These bandages are very versatile and efficient that can be folded into a sling or to provide
necessary pressure to wound that is bleeding.

TEN (10) USES OF TRIANGULAR BANDAGE:

1. As an Arm Sling – it can be turned into an arm sling to support injuries on a lower arm or a hand.
This can also be used for fractures sustained on the ribs or the collarbones. A triangular bandage can
also be used as an elevation sling for injuries to the arm or finger that require the affected area to be
elevated.
STEPS:
 Ask the patient to hold the injured arm across their body in a position that is comfortable for
them.
 Hold the bandage so that the base is running down the centre of the body and that the point is on
the elbow on the injured side.
 Slip the top point gently under the supported arm. Then, wrap it around the back of the neck so
that it rests on the shoulder of the affected side.
 Bring the lower point up and take it to meet the upper point at the affected side of the neck.
 Use a reef knot to secure the ends together by the area just above the collarbone. Doing so
prevents any pressure on the back of the neck.
 Adjust the sling to make the fingertips visible. Bring the point forward and use a safety pin to
fasten it to the sling.
 Check the circulation in the fingers. Do this by comparing the tissue color with the fingertips on
the uninjured arm. If signs of impaired circulation are noticeable, loosen the sling.
2. Cravat of Hand – used to retain dressings of considerable size on the hand. Triangular bandage
offers an alternative option for wrapping minor hand burns, When doing so, make sure that the
bandage is lose enough to inhibit the cloth from sticking to the wound.
STEPS:
 Place middle of base triangle well up on palmar surface of wrist.
 Carry apex around ends of fingers and cover back (dorsum) of hand to wrist.
 Tuck excess fullness of bandage into small pleats on both sides of fingers.
 Cross each half of bandage toward opposite sided of wrist.
 Bring ends of triangle around wrist.
 Tie ends in square knot.
3. Bandage for Head Injuries – a triangular bandage provides a more loose option for the area
around the top of the head.
STEPS:
 Fold back about 2 inches of the to create a hem. Put the middle of the base on the forehead, a
little above the eyebrows. Make sure the hem is on the outside. Allow the point to fall over the
head and down at the back of the head, over the ears, cross them over the point, bring them
around the forehead, and tie in a square knot.
  Firmly hold the compress using one hand, while the other hand gently pulls down the point until
the compress is settled nicely. Bring the point up and tuck it in the bandage where it crosses the
back part of the head.
4. Bandage for Jaw Injuries – Used to retain dressings on the chin, cheeks, scalp, and as a temporary
dressing to secure fixation of the parts in a fracture or dislocation of the jaw.
STEPS:
 After making triangle into cravat of proper width, place under chin so that one end is longer than
other. Carry ends upward in front of ears.
 Bring longer end over top of skull. Cross both ends on side of head. Ends should now be of equal
length.
 Pass ends around head in opposite directions and tie with square knot in front of other ear, and on
primary turn of cravat.
5. Bandage for Eye Injuries – used for retention of dressing over eye.
STEPS:
 Lay center of first cravat over top of head with front end falling over uninjured eye.
 Bring second cravat around head, and over injured eye, tying in front and over loose ends of first
cravat.
 Bring ends of first cravat back over top of head, tying there and pulling first cravat up and away
from uninjured eye.
6. Shoulder-Armpit Cravat – used to hold dressings in the armpit (axilla) or on the shoulder.
STEPS:
 Place middle of cravat in armpit over dressings.
 Carry ends upward and over top of shoulder.
 Cross ends and bring them across back and chest respectively to opposite armpit where they are
tied.
*** Triangle of chest or back – used to retain dressings on burns or wounds.
STEPS:
 Drop apex of triangle over shoulder on injured side. Bring bandage down over chest or back
to cover dressing and so that middle of base of bandage is directly below injury. Turn up a
cuff at base.
 Carry ends around body and tie in square knot
 Bring apex down and tie to one of ends of first knot.
*** Triangle of shoulder – used to retain dressings on shoulder that requires two bandages.
STEPS:
 Place center of cravat at base of neck on injured side, and tie just forward of opposite armpit.
 Place apex of open triangle under cravat at base of neck and over dressing on injured
shoulder and upper arm.
 Tuck apex under cravat at neck.
 Cross ends of base and tie around arm; secure apex to cravat at neck by tucking in or with
safety pin.
7. Triangle/Cravat of Hip – used to retain dressings on the buttock or hip that requires two bandages
STEPS:
 Fasten cravat around waist.
 Place base of triangle under buttock (gluteo-femoral fold), and apex under cravat at waist. Fold
base upward to form cuff. Carry ends of base around thigh and tie with square knot.
8. Cravat of Knee – used to retain dressings around the knee.
STEPS:
  Place center of cravat over center of knee
 Bring ends down each side of knee and cross underneath, with descending turns down calf, and
ascending turns up thigh.
 Bring ends together, and tie on cravat.
9. Bandage for Leg Injuries – used to retain dressings on the leg. There are various ways to use a
triangular bandage as a splint to keep a broken or fractured leg stationary against further injury.
STEPS:
 Place center or cravat at center of calf, with ends forward and up, assuming wound is at about
middle of leg.
 Cross ends in front, and commense ascending turns with lower end.
 Each turn covers two-thirds of preceding turn, until dressing is covered.
 Terminate by tying both ends over cravat.
10. Bandage for Foot Injuries – used to retain dressings of considerable size on the foot.
STEPS:
 Center foot upon bandage at right angles to base. Heel should be well forward.
 Carry apex of triangle over toes, and cover back of foot to ankle.
 Tuck excess fullness of bandage into small pleats on both sides of foot
 Cross each half of bandage toward opposite sides of ankle. Bring ends of triangle around ankle.
Tie ends in square knots.

Reference:
 https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/ext/dw/1308019R/PDF/1308019R.pdf

 https://www.mhg.sg/triangular-bandage-guide/?
fbclid=IwAR0fde92Q0AHjliDh5VWnpY3KhGB5ZYrrzsJP03dat1eqZX2JSDOqsCbycE