First Aid Broken Bones and Sprains Joint sprains
First Aid Broken Bones and Sprains
�Joint sprains happen when joints move in a directions they are not supposed to go �Without an x-ray it may be impossible to tell whether a bone is broken �You will perform the same actions even if you don’t know whether the bone is broken
Signs �Swelling �Joint may turn blue
Action Steps �Check scene safety �Cover any open wound with dressing �Put plastic bag filled with ice and water on injured area with a towel in between for 20 minutes �Phone or ask someone to phone 911 if: ◦ There is a large open wound ◦ Injured part is abnormally bent ◦ Not sure what to do
** Don’t straighten any body part that’s bent or deformed. **Don’t move a broken bone that has come through the skin
Splinting �Keeps injured body part from moving �At times you may have to splint an arm or leg, but most of the time health care providers provide splints
Action Steps for Splinting �Make sure scene is safe. Get first aid kit. Wear PPE �To make a splint use something that will keep the arm or leg from moving �Roll up towels, magazines, and pieces of wood can be used as splints
Splinting �Place splint so that extends beyond the injured area and supports the joints above and below the injury �Tie the splint to the injured body part �Make sure injured person is seen by a health care provider �You should be able to put a few fingers between the splint and the injured body
Important �Leave bent and deformed body parts in their bent or deformed body positions as you apply the splint. If a broken bone has come through the skin, cover the wound with a clean dressing, and splint
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