Fractures, dislocations, and sprains

Fractures and immobilization

Suspect a fracture if there is deformity, intense pain at one spot, swelling, inability to move or put weight on it, a snap when the injury happened, or visible bone (open fracture).

1. Do not try to straighten or "set" the bone or a dislocated joint.
2. Control the bleeding from an open fracture by pressing around the bone, not on it, and cover with clean gauze.
3. Check circulation before and after splinting: color, temperature, sensation, and movement of the fingers or toes.
4. Immobilize the injury in the position you found it, including the joint above and the joint below the fracture. Improvised splints: rolled magazines or newspaper, cardboard, boards, hiking poles, a pillow. Pad the gaps and tie with bandages or strips of cloth, without tightening over the injury.
5. Buddy splint: if you have no materials, tape or bandage an injured finger to the one next to it, or one leg to the other with padding between them. For an arm or collarbone, use a sling made from a triangular bandage.
6. Apply cold wrapped in cloth for 20 minutes and elevate the limb if it doesn't cause more pain.
7. If the fingers or toes turn cold, blue, numb, or tingly, loosen the ties.

Sprains and strains

Use the RICE method:

• Rest: don't put weight on or use the area.
• Ice: cold wrapped in cloth, 20 minutes at a time; never ice directly on the skin.
• Compression: firm elastic bandage, without cutting off circulation.
• Elevation: above the level of the heart if possible.

If you can't bear weight after a few steps, there is deformity, or the pain is severe, treat it as a fracture.