We are always harping on MacGyvering (or using something for a reason other than its intended purpose). Here are just a few neat ways to do that with a simple triangular bandage (or neckerchief for that matter)! We’re not saying that these are all great uses… just that they’d probably work. Enjoy!
We are always harping on MacGyvering (or using something for a reason other than its intended purpose). Here are just a few neat ways to do that with a simple triangular bandage (or neckerchief for that matter)! We’re not saying that these are all great uses… just that they’d probably work. Enjoy!
- To make a sling and swathe
- It’s cotton, right? Fire starter!
- Toilet paper (c’mon, you know you’d use it in a pinch!)
- Packing a wound while applying well-aimed direct pressure
- Tie a splint to an extremity
- Secure a pressure dressing
- Sling and swath for orthopedic injuries
- Secure and dress an abdominal evisceration
- Secure an IV bag to the casualty
- Create a pressure infuser for IV/IO application
- Secure patient’s arms and legs during movement and extraction
- Used to aid the creation of a traction splint for a femur fracture
- Improvised tourniquet using windlass
- Endotracheal tube tie
- Eye cover or bandage to protect patient’s eye against dust and debris
- Secure IV catheter and tubing once established
- Secure catheter placed after needle thoracotomy for tension pneumothorax
- Secure and stabilize a flail chest
- Collection bag for patient’s belongings
- Folded, padding for head on hard surface
- Two wrapped together creates a donut roll for depressed skull area
- Stabilize an impaled object
- B-U-F-F finger splint
- Secure your triage card to the patient
- Cover for amputated extremity stump
- Moistened and then used for a respiratory filter during rapid extraction from toxic exposure
- Folded, bite block when ET tube is in place
- Secure cold or hot pact to casualty
- Wrapped around a sprained or strained joint for added support
- Small torn pieces placed in ears to protect against constant load noise
- Small torn pieces used as gauze for dental abscess
- Subdue medic’s exam light
- Secure wound avulsion in place
- Cover burn wound site
- Head wrap to help slow casualty hypothermia
- Moistened and used to wrap or protect salvageable amputated body part
- Narrow torn strip wrapped around scalpel blade for surgical cricothyroidotomy
- Hang IV bag from elevated fixed object
- Tie fentanyl “lollipop” to patient’s finger
- Tied to fixed elevated object and extremity for sustained elevation
- Saturated with water, it can be used to cool an overheated patient
- Clean and prep chest for occlusive dressing application
- Corner of material for removal of debris in eye
- Packing for nosebleed
- Secure or restrain combative casualty
- Strap repair
- Ties for improvised litter
- Protect yourself from vomitus during CPR (if you don’t have a mask)
- Wind and dust bandanna
- Padding for splints
- Clavicle splint
- Shade from a hot sun
- Placed over a water bottle, it can serve as a filter (just the big stuff though, obviously)
- When unraveled, attach it to a fishhook or safety pin to a little fishing
Okay, that should get you started. Got any more?!
