What is a Trauma Bandage?

Trauma bandage, emergency bandage, Israeli bandage, military bandage, pressure dressing, whatever you might call them they’re an essential part of your first aid kit when working in high-risk industries where there is a potential for traumatic hemorrhagic injuries. Things to think about when considering whether you need a trauma bandage on site:

• do your work tasks include handling knives?
• do your work tasks include handling glass or other materials that could cause lacerations?
• do your work tasks include using machinery that could cause major cuts or lacerations? 

Developed by Israeli military medic, Bernard Bar-Natan, trauma bandages are designed to easily apply focused pressure without the need to use an object or your hands during a quick response to severe bleeding pre-hospitalisation, particularly when a tourniquet isn’t needed or suitable such as with a head or neck injury. 

And with a recent study  showing that an increasing number of patients are waiting more than six hours to be admitted to a hospital ward and response times in rural areas taking up to 30 minutes for 95% of urgent and potentially serious injuries, it is critical to have the right first aid immediately available to preserve life and minimise serious injuries and potential effects until the emergency services can take over. 

Available in 4, 6 and 8 inch widths and made from elastic bandage, the three key features of all trauma bandages are: 

• A pressure applicator that is placed over the wound to stop bleeding without the need to use your hands or an object.
• Non-adherent dressing that removes the need for gauze and allows the bandage to be removed without reopening the wound.
• A closure clip that secures the bandage without the need for safety pins, tapes or adhesives.
  
  

As trauma bandages are non-reusable it is advisable to have more than one in your emergency first aid kit. Order your trauma bandage here