Chapter 1 Taping Supplies

Essential taping supplies

• disposable razor and soap

• skin toughener spray

• quick-drying adhesive spray

• lubricating ointment/petroleum jelly (Vaseline™)

• heel and lace pads

• underwrap

• Comfeel™

• non-elastic (zinc oxide) tape 2.5 cm (1 in) and 5 cm (2 in) width. Wider tape useful in reinforcing vertical support strips

• elastic adhesive bandage 2.5 cm (1 in), 5 cm (2 in) and 7.5 cm (3 in) width

• fixation tape (Fixamol™, Sanipore™, Hyperfix™)

• bandage scissors

• padding: felt, foam or gel pad

• cohesive bandages 2.5 cm (1 in), 5 cm (2 in) and 7.5 cm (3 in) width

Additional items for field kit

• surgical gloves

• wound wash

• antiseptic solution

• Kaltostat™ (fibrous blood coagulant dressing)

• Tuff-cut shears

• cotton gauze squares: sterile and non-sterile

• plastic Band-Aid strips

• triangular bandages

• collar and cuff

• ice and towels

• pen, pencil and paper

• cellular/mobile phone

Optional supplies

• instant cold packs

• antifungal spray or powder

• blister protectors

• cotton-tipped applicators

• tongue depressors

• waterproof tape

• white zinc oxide tape 1.2 cm (½ in) width

• adhesive remover

• tape cutters

• nail clippers, nail scissors

Any successful taping job begins with choosing quality materials. Top-quality tape is more reliable and consistent than poor-quality tape and is essential if optimal protection is to be achieved. Tape quality affects the degree of compression, stability and support necessary for a properly executed taping technique.

Included in this chapter are descriptions of and uses for various tapes and supplies. These have been divided into two lists. The recommended essentials for taping are included in the first list. The optional supplies in the second list should also be available but are not mandatory. Many more items could be added to a well-equipped taping kit but we have covered only what we deem to be the most important supplies.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

ELASTIC ADHESIVE BANDAGE (EAB)

This tape offers elasticity as well as adhesion. Useful for a wide range of purposes:

• maintaining localized compression over a contusion

• keeping maximal pressure over an injury without compromising circulation

• forming an ‘anchor’ around a muscle area

• keeping a brace in place.

Quality characteristics

• strong recoil. To test, stretch an 80 cm (32 in) strip to maximum length. Hold for 30 seconds, then release. Tape should return to 125% of original length (100 cm; 40 in)

• ideally the roll should be encased in airtight wrapping to maintain freshness

Inferior

• little, ineffective or no recoil

• tendency to unravel at the edges

• does not adhere well; tends to peel off easily

ANTISEPTIC LOTION; ANTIFUNGAL SPRAY OR POWDER

Useful as a secondary precaution in treating minor abrasions, blisters, lacerations and tape cuts.

• apply to cleaned wounds prior to taping

• use sparingly so as not to interfere with the adhesive properties of the overall tape job

NON-ELASTIC (ZINC OXIDE) TAPE

The basic all-purpose tape essential to any taping kit used in any sport. Adhesive, non-elastic and available in rolls of various lengths, zinc oxide tape is indispensable for the athletic taper.

Quality characteristics

• slightly porous to permit some lateral glide or stretch (shearing) across the bias of the tape

• to test: grasp a 5 cm (2 in) piece of tape between your two hands and pull laterally. The tape should shear about 20 ° in either direction without creasing (as in the photographs below)

Inferior

• when tested as described above, a poor grade of tape will start to crease and to stick together almost as soon as any sideways stress is induced. Other types of inexpensive tape may have two or more lengths stitched end to end. Although the quality may not be inferior, it will not give a smooth, uniform finish to the taping job (important when the athlete is wearing footwear). Any seams must be removed before applying the tape

NOTE:

All types of tape should be kept in a cool, dry place. Rotate supplies to ensure freshness: old tape gets too sticky and difficult to use.

FIXATION TAPE (FIXAMOL™, SANIPORE™, HYPERFIX™)

This tape is primarily promoted for holding dressings in place. However, it also makes an excellent anchor when combined with adhesive spray, especially when encircling the whole limb is impractical or contraindicated; in such cases it can be used instead of non-elastic zinc oxide tape or elastic adhesive bandage. For many tapers, it is the tape of choice as an anchor in unloading (of neural/fascial elements for pain relief) techniques.

Quality characteristics

• strong

• hypoallergenic adhesive

• highly adhesive

• highly porous (allows skin to breathe)

Inferior

• can be awkward to use in long strips

• if it adheres to itself you cannot separate it

SKIN TOUGHENER SPRAY

Fast-drying aerosol spray that forms a thin adhesive layer protecting skin from contact with tape irritants and provides additional adhesive potency.

Quality characteristics

• dries quickly

• adheres well

Inferior

• can irritate sensitive skin

• difficult to remove

TIP:

Some brands are less apt to cause irritation in specific chemical-sensitive athletes. Having several brands on hand will enable the taper to try alternatives with different chemical ingredients.

ADHESIVE SPRAY

Quick-drying adhesive sprays applied directly to the skin help to keep tape from slipping.

Quality characteristics

• dries quickly

• adheres well

Inferior

• irritates skin

• difficult to remove

TIP:

Essential in difficult taping situations of high humidity or where immersion in water makes adhesiveness a problem, i.e. a swimmer returning to action.

NOTE:

May be interchanged with skin toughener spray in situations where adherence is the primary concern.

< div class='tao-gold-member'>

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Related posts:

Epilogue Taping Objectives Basic Pathology Wrist and Hand Knee and Thigh Foot and Ankle

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Join

Full access? Get Clinical Tree