How to create an emergency splint after fractures, broken bones or dislocation.

Should someone in your company break, fracture or dislocate a bone, and adequate splinting gear is unavailable, you will need to create a temporary splint to immobilise the affected area. A splint will give the patient some pain relief and prevent them doing further damage to themselves.

1. Don’t move the injured patient

Unless you are in danger, in the middle of a road or near falling rocks etc. you should splint the injury and immobilise its movement. Moving someone with a fracture could injure them further.

2. Assess the injury

Find out exactly where the fracture is, you must be sure of this to immobilise the area effectively. Before you apply a splint, you should also ensure that the patient has a pulse, motor and sensory abilities in their hands for an arm injury, or feet for a leg injury.

3. Straightening

A severely deformed fracture will require straightening, this should only be done with professional assistance. With the help of another, pull traction on the lower half of the the injured area and gently guide it back to a neutral position. Again check for pulse, motor and sensory abilities in their hands for an arm injury, or feet for a leg injury.

4. Materials

In an emergency, using a professional medical splint will always be the best solution but using materials you have at hand can create an adequate temporary option. Materials like strong sticks, boards and thick cardboard could do the job to stop movement, even a magazine wrapped around an injured forearm can help, while a bandana, rope, or torn bits of material and clothing could do the job of tying the splint in place.

5. Above and Below the Joint

To protect the damaged area the splint should immobilise both the bone above and the bone below the joint. So if the patient has broken their lower leg you’ll need to immobilise their ankle and their knee with your splint.

6. Placing the Splint

A splint should be placed to the left and right of a lower leg injury, or on the outside of an arm fracture. Use your tying materials to wrap completely around the splinted area securely. The ties should not be so tight as to block circulation. Fully immobilise an arm fracture in a sling.

7. Check Every Hour

Every hour, check that there is sensation and pulse below the splint. Release the wrapping completely and rewrap it more loosely if the patient complains about tightness or numbness at any point.

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