How to apply a simple bandage

Emma and Pia, tissue viability nurses, introduce themselves and the video's purpose: to teach how to apply a simple bandage. They emphasize wearing appropriate PPE, maintaining good manual handling, and conducting a full leg assessment, including checking for pressure ulcers on the heels and washing/creaming the legs.

After assessing the wound and applying necessary dressings, the next step is to hold them in place. Comfy net or sock net is recommended to secure dressings and protect the skin from rubbing. It is measured and applied over the dressings to keep them in position.

Cotton wool is crucial as the next layer, providing skin protection and preventing the bandage from rubbing. The cotton wool should be applied from the base of the toes to the back of the knees, never just ankle to knee. A double lock is made around the toes, then a figure-of-eight around the foot, catching the Achilles and heel, before spiraling up the leg with a 50/50 overlap. This layer also provides shaping and protection for vulnerable areas like the tibial crest.

The final layer is the conforming bandage. It should be applied with a 'cuff of fluff,' ensuring the bandage goes underneath the cotton wool layer. The bandage should not be pulled too tight to avoid affecting perfusion; a 'cheeky pull' to 50% tension is advised. Like the cotton wool, it starts with a double wrap around the toes, a figure-of-eight around the foot, and then a 50/50 spiral up the leg. Ensure no rucks or creases and stop two fingers below the knee to allow for leg bending. The bandage is then secured with tape.

The video concludes with a demonstration of the completed basic bandage. Emma and Pia thank viewers and provide contact information for the tissue viability team for any questions. They also mention resources available on their website and the trust page for pressure ulcer prevention.