2. Splinting
• Reduces pain
• Prevents further damage to muscles,
nerves, and blood vessels
• Prevents closed fracture from
becoming open fracture
• Reduces bleeding and swelling
4. Splinting Guidelines (1 of 3)
• Cover open wounds with dry dressing before
applying splint.
• Splint only if it won’t cause further pain.
• Splint in position found.
• Warn victim of pain.
• Use splint that will extend beyond joints above
and below injury.
• Apply firmly, but do not affect circulation.
5. Splinting Guidelines (2 of 3)
• When possible, splint on both sides of injury.
• Elevate extremity after splinting.
• Apply ice pack.
• If possible spine injury, victim should not move.
• Stabilize spine with rolled blankets on each
side of neck and torso.
6. Splinting Guidelines (3 of 3)
• Seek medical care if:
• Extremity has no pulse
• Open fracture
• Dislocation
• Swollen, hot, tender, or painful joint
• Deformity, tenderness, swelling over bone
• Victim unable to walk
• Snap, crackle, pop was heard
• Uncertain whether bone was broken
• Lack of rapid improvement
8. Applying a Sling to Upper Arm,
Forearm, or Hand/Wrist (1 of 2)
• Hold victim’s arm away from
chest.
• Place triangular bandage
between forearm and chest with
point toward elbow.
• Stretch bandage beyond elbow.
• Pull upper end of bandage over
uninjured shoulder.
• Bring lower end of bandage over
forearm.
9. Applying a Sling to Upper Arm,
Forearm, or Hand/Wrist (2 of 2)
• Bring end of bandage around
neck to uninjured side.
• Tie other end at hollow above
clavicle on uninjured side.
• Place swathe around upper arm
and body.
• Place padding underneath both
knots.
• Adjust sling to support hand and
wrist.
10. Applying a Sling to
Clavicle/Shoulder (1 of 2)
• Hold victim’s arm away
from chest.
• Place triangular bandage
between forearm and
chest with point toward
elbow.
• Stretch bandage beyond
elbow.
• Pull upper end over
uninjured shoulder.
11. Applying a Sling to
Clavicle/Shoulder (2 of 2)
• Bring lower end of
bandage over forearm.
• Tuck under armpit on
uninjured side.
• Bring lower end around
back.
• Tie to upper end.
• Place swathe around
chest and forearm.
12. Improvised Slings
• Place hand inside buttoned
jacket.
• Use belt, necktie, or other
item looped around neck and
injured arm.
• Pin sleeve of shirt or jacket to
clothing.
• Turn up lower edge of shirt or
jacket over uninjured arm.
• Pin to upper part of shirt or
jacket.
13. Shoulder Splinting (1 of 2)
• Support injured arm away
from chest.
• Place open triangular
bandage between forearm
and chest.
• Stretch point beyond elbow.
• Pull upper end over
shoulder on uninjured side.
14. Shoulder Splinting (2 of 2)
• Bring lower end
over forearm, under
armpit on injured
side, around back.
• Tie upper and
lower ends.
• Check pulse and
nail color.
15. Humerus Splinting
• Place injured arm
across chest.
• If available, tie rigid
splint to outside of
arm.
• Place arm in sling.
• Secure arm to chest
with swathe.
16. Elbow Splinting
• Splint in position
found.
• If straight, tie rigid
splint onto arm with
cravat bandages.
• Place arm in sling.
17. Forearm Splinting
• Use one rigid splint from
palm past elbow.
• Use second rigid splint on
opposite side of arm.
• Secure splint with roller
bandage or cravats.
• Put arm in sling.
• Keep thumb upright.
• Secure with swathe around
body.
18. Wrist, Hand, and Finger
Splinting
• Three methods:
• Place injured hand in position
of function.
• Attach rigid splint
extending past fingertips.
• Place hand in position of
function.
• Place arm in sling and swathe
with thumb upright.
• Tape fingers together with
gauze separating fingers.
19. Pelvis and Hip Splinting
• Stabilize victim in position
found.
• Treat for shock.
• Do not lift legs.
• Wait for EMS.
20. Femur Splinting
• Traction splint required.
• Available only on
ambulances.
• Two first aid methods:
• Place folded blanket
between victim’s
legs.
• Place board
between legs from
groin to foot.
21. Knee Splinting (1 of 2)
• Stabilize in position found.
• To splint straight knee:
• Lift injured leg.
• Place rigid splint under leg,
from buttocks to beyond
foot.
• Place cravats under splint.
• Place padding under knee
and ankle.
• Tie cravats. Do not tie over
injured area.
22. Knee Splinting (2 of 2)
• To splint bent knee:
• Place rigid splint against
injured leg.
• Do not place against knee.
• Tie cravat around splint
and lower leg.
• Tie cravat around splint
and thigh.
• Tie knots over splint, not
over leg.
23. Lower Leg Splinting (1 of 2)
• Self-splint method:
• Pad between
legs.
• Push cravats
under leg with
thin board.
• Tie legs together.
• Tie knots
between legs,
over padding.
24. Lower Leg Splinting (2 of 2)
• Using rigid splints:
• Place rigid splint on
outside and inside.
• Push cravats under leg
and splints with thin board.
• Tie splints and leg together
with cravats.
• Tie knots on top of splint.
25. Ankle and Foot Splinting
• Use RICE.
• Wrap pillow or folded
blanket around ankle
and foot.
• Tie with cravats.
