How do you bandage a sprained ankle?

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If this just happened, ice-pack it for 30 minutes before bandaging.

If you're using tape to immobilze or brace, here's what you do:

• Use 1" or 2" tape, if you can.
• Tape first from just above the ankle, down the leg and wrap under the heel -- then back up the other side of the leg, so the first bandage runs parallel to the leg and wraps under the heel.
• Next, tape from the side of the foot back wrap around the heel, and up the other side of the foot. This piece of tape is parallel to the foot and at right angles (perpendicular) to the first piece of tape.
• Repeat this process so there are 4 pieces of tape in each direction -- a total of 8 peices of tape. Vertical, horizontal... vertical, horizontal, and so on.
• Finish by running a circle of tape around the ends of the other tape so they won't come off easily (two circles because there are two places where tape ends show).
• Make certain that the tape isn't reducing circulation.

If you're using an Ace Bandage, KoBan, or elastic wrap:

• make a circle around the instep of the foot, so that the bandage overlaps itself and stays in place.
• Now, wrap a circle around the ankle.
• Repeat until you've used the entire bandage. Be very careful not to stop blood circulation.
• Secure the bandage around the ankle.

Check frequently for circulation.

Personally, I prefer the elestic wraps if the victim has to walk (if you're backcountry hiking for instance), as they flex and are less likely to trip the victim, causing a fall. The tape method, however, has worked for years and is better for immobilization.

First answer by Cjonb. Last edit by Cjonb. Contributor trust: 104 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question]