Performance Steps to Fracture

Step 4

-Check for signs of blood circulation problems below the injury. -Check light-skinned persons for color of skin (skin may be pale, white, or a bluish gray color). -Check dark-skinned persons by depressing the toenail or fingernail beds and seeing how fast the color returns. A slower return of color to the injured side indicates a circulation problem. -Feel the injured arm or leg to see if it is colder than the uninjured one. -Ask the casualty about the presence of numbness, tightness, or a cold sensation.

Step 2

-Get splints (wooden boards, tree branches, poles, an unloaded rifle) long enough to reach beyond the joints above and below the broken part. -Get materials to pad the splints, such as a jacket, blanket, poncho, shelter half, or leafy vegetation. -Get tie materials, such as strips of cloth or belts, to tie the splints.

Step 7

Apply an arm sling if applicable -Make a sling from any nonstretching material (such as a strip of clothing or blanket, poncho, shelter half, belt, or shirttail). -Apply the sling so the supporting pressure is on the casualty's uninjured side. -Make sure the hand of the supported arm is slightly higher than the elbow.

Step 8

Apply swathes if applicable. ​-Apply swathes to an injured arm by wrapping the swathes over the injured arm, around the casualty's back, and under the arm on the uninjured side. Tie the ends on the uninjured side. ​-Apply swathes to an injured leg by wrapping the swathes around both legs and tying the swathes on the uninjured side.

Step 6

Check the splint for tightness. -Make sure the cravats are tight enough to hold the splinting materials securely in place -Recheck circulation below the injury to make sure that circulation is not impaired. -Make any adjustments without allowing the splint to become ineffective.

Step 3

Pad the splints. Apply padding between the splint and the bony areas of the body. -Suggested sites for padding: wrist, elbow, ankle, knee, crotch, and armpit.

Step 1

Prepare the casualty for splinting. -Reassure the casualty(if conscious/understands). Tell the casualty that you will be taking care of him/her. -Loosen any tight or binding clothing. -Remove all jewelry from the affected limb and place it in the casualty's pocket. Tell the casualty that you are doing this to prevent further injury if swelling occurs later.

Step 5

Put on a splint. -As a rule, splint the fracture in the position found. -If there is no circulation below the fracture site, or if the limb is grossly angulated and you cannot effectively splint it, you may need to gently realign the limb to effectively splint the fracture site. -With one hand supporting the fracture site, use the other hand to grasp the part of the limb farthest from the fracture and gently place traction on it (pull in the direction of the long axis of the bone, like extending a telescope). -Place one splint on each side of the arm or leg. Make sure the splints reach beyond the joints above and below the fracture. -Tie the splints with improvised (or actual) cravats. -Gently place at least two cravats above and two cravats below the fracture if possible. -Tie nonslip knots on the splint away from the injury.

Step 9

Watch the casualty closely for life-threatening conditions and check for other injuries. Seek medical aid.