What do you use when covering a wound with bandages?

Bandages are the material used to secure dressings in place over a wound. As far as what to use, it depends on the wound. Typically, an open wound can be successfully dressed with gauze. In the field, we use either 4 x 4's or bulky gauze dressings for most wounds. In the case of an open chest or airway (neck) wound, we use what's known as an Occlusive Dressing, which is basically a thin cotton dressing covered with petroleum jelly. With most dressings, you use tape to secure the gauze in place by wrapping the dressing. With occlusive dressings, you secure three corners of the dressing with tape completely, but leave one corner either open, or loosely secured so that you can "burp" the dressing every 2 to 5 minutes to relieve pressure.