Skill Unit Wilderness First Aid Skills 1217 Breaks
Skill Unit: Wilderness First Aid
Skills 12/17: Breaks & Sprains II: Legs
Learning Intention: • To practise how to recognise and treat a broken or sprained leg or ankle
Success Criteria: By the end of this session everyone should be able to: • State two priorities when treating a break or sprain; • Use a splint or improvised dressing to treat a break or sprain to a leg or ankle
Activities: 1. 2. 3. 4. Presentation/Discussion (10) Demonstration (5) Practical (20) Review Success Criteria (5)
Tayside Mountain Rescue says. . . v The most common type of injuries (resulting in a call-out) are lower leg fractures caused by a simple slip
Possible Symptoms • Pain • Swelling • Bruising • Difficulty moving the injured limb • Deformation of the injured limb (dislocations & some breaks)
Treatment • R- Rest the injured limb • I - Apply ice (cold compress or ice-pack) • C - Compress the injury • E - Elevate the injured limb
But what if… • The casualty needs to be moved? • The casualty cannot walk?
Complications • Limb deformation may cause loss of circulation: check for numbness or blueness in toes. If more than an hour from medical attention, consider straightening limb by pulling firmly downwards, then setting with a splint (contact your supervisor first!)
Video Clip: NOLS Leg Splints (5. 17)
Questions?
Practical: Group A: 1 Casualty 3 Observers Group B: First Aiders Checklist for Observers: • Did they ASSESS the situation? • Did they approach the casualty safely? • Conscious Casualty: Did they ask relevant questions? • Unconscious Casualty: Did they check BREATHING/CIRCULATION • Did they COMMUNICATE appropriately? • Did they TAKE appropriate ACTION e. g. treat the casualty effectively (RICE!)
Next Session: Skill 13: Burns & Scalds
- Slides: 14