Improvise a Small Bandage

Learn how to prevent small cuts from bleeding in circumstances where no bandage is available.

Steps

Toilet paper might be your best option, absent anything else Wash out the cut with hot water to avoid infection.
Dry the affected area so that adhesive material will stick.
Cover the affected area with gauze, or some type of bandage that will absorb or stanch the flow of blood. If bleeding, heavily cover the area with a coagulant to reduce blood flow (table salt works in a pinch though it may sting some, this will also help sterilize the area though excessive or repeated use of salt will over dry and irritate the affected area) For excessively bleeding wounds, changing the bandages two to three times a day (sterilizing each time) will help prevent infection.
Find an adhesive material like tape or a sticker, or find something like a ribbon to tie around the area to hold the bandage in place, tightly enough so as to help stanch blood flow. See Tips for other ideas along these lines.
Secure the material over the area.
After a period, you can remove the bandage. If your cut is not healed, repeat the process, and/or go buy some band-aids.

Tips

Sometimes paper can work as a stand-alone band-aid. Just tear a small piece and wait for some blood to seep out. Put the paper onto the blood. The paper will soak with blood but eventually dry, leaving you to peel it off.
For sprains/ fractures/ breaks that need to be bandaged temporarily until medical help arrives, clothing such as jackets, sweatshirts, or extra tee shirts, and even clean dish towels will provide temporary cushioning and support.
Holding a slice of onion against a bacterial lesion, using an old sock An old sock can make a handy "ace bandage" for applying pressure to the wound or to hold on a poultice. Cut the elastic part of the sock off and throw the rest away; then sear the cut end with a match or lighter to slow unraveling. A "thumb hole" helps if you need it for your hand.
Hard liquor (e.g., tequila, whiskey, vodka) can also serve as a disinfectant if nothing else is available.

Warnings

Ensure that the material you are using as a makeshift band-aid is sanitary or you risk infection
If your cut is serious, seek medical attention immediately and use first aid until you can get help.
If the cut is deep, you may need a tetanus shot. This would be an additional reason to seek medical attention.