American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [125]
Applying a Splint
Splinting prevents a fracture from moving, which reduces pain and keeps the break from getting worse. A splint should be rigid and long enough to immobilize the joints above and below the fracture. Splints can be made with pieces of wood, cardboard, magazines, or newspapers padded with pillows, clothing, towels, or blankets. For a broken upper arm, be sure to put some padding between the arm and the torso.
Splints can be tied in place with neckties, torn strips of cloth, belts, string, or rope. But make sure you do not tie the splint so tightly that it interferes with blood circulation. Loosen splint ties if you notice swelling, numbness or tingling, or discoloration not caused by the injury; if the person cannot feel his or her fingers or toes; or if you cannot feel a pulse in the area of the splint. These are signs of lack of blood to the area.
Place arm at a right angle
Make a padded splint
Tie splint in place above and below the break
Support arm with a wide sling
Splinting a broken lower arm
Place the person’s lower arm at a right angle across the person’s chest, with his or her palm facing the chest and his or her thumb pointing upward. Put a padded splint around the lower arm. The splint should reach from the elbow to beyond the wrist.
Tie the splint in place above and below the break. Support the lower arm (the fingers should be slightly higher than the elbow) with a wide sling tied around the neck.
Splinting an injured leg
Gently straighten the knee of the injured leg. Place some padding between the person’s legs. Tie the injured leg to the other leg in several places, but don’t tie directly over the break. If you are using a board as a splint, it should run the entire length of the leg.
To treat a head, back, or spinal injury:
1. Call or have someone call 911 or your local emergency number, or send someone for help.
2. Do not move the person unless he or she is in immediate danger or is choking or vomiting.
3. If the person must be moved, immobilize the head, back, neck, and spine. Do not let the neck or back bend or twist. Place pads or other material on each side of the injured person’s head, neck, and trunk to keep them from moving from side to side. Do not lift the person without a back support such as a board. If the person must be dragged, do not drag him or her sideways. Grasp the person by the armpits or legs and pull in the direction of the length of the body. Always keep the head in line with the rest of the body.
4. If the person is not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately (see page 156), moving the head and neck as little as possible.
5. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.
WARNING!
Immobilize the Head of a Person With a Neck Injury
Any movement of the head of a person with a neck injury (either forward, backward, or from side to side) can result in paralysis or death. Do not remove a helmet from a person who has a possible neck injury. If necessary, try to remove the face guard from a helmet with a screwdriver.
If you must remove a helmet (to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation because the person has stopped breathing or to treat a severe head injury), keep the person’s head completely immobile until the helmet is removed. Have someone else hold the injured person’s head by applying pressure to the jaw with the thumb and fingers of one hand while firmly holding the base of the skull with the other hand while you stretch out the sides of the helmet as you carefully remove it.
Swallowed Poisons
Call 911 or your local emergency number or the national poison center (1-800-222-1222) for instructions before doing anything for a person who has swallowed a poison (see list of common poisons at right). Be ready to provide