How to Splint an Injury

1
How to Splint an Injury

• By Matthew Vinnal

2
Approach The Situation

• It is key to identify where the exact injury is
• Rule out life threatening situations
• Calm the Victim

3
Check the injured area for circulation and nerve
innervation

• Obtain a pulse in the extremities of the limb
• Check to see if there is equal sense of feeling
  in both limbs

4
Splint the Injury How it is Found

• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REALIGN A FRACTURE
• Splint the injury in the state that it is found

5
Stabilize the Limb

• Stabilize the injured area at the joint above and
  the joint below the site of the fracture

6
Obtain the Proper Splint

• Have a partner ready the splint
• Many different items can be use magazines,
  pillows, blankets, vacuum splints, SAM splints,
  etc.

7
Apply the Splint to the Injury

• Place the injured limb onto the splint
• If the limb needs to be lifted, lift slowly with
  a partner and avoid movement at the injury site

8
Secure the Splint

• Secure the splint with some kind of bandage
  gauze, towels, ACE wraps
• Some splints, i.e. vacuum splints, have straps
  attached

9
Re-Check the injury for circulation and nerve
innervations

• Ask the victim if they have sensation
• Check for a pulse, if not attainable, re-attach
  securing straps

10
Common Mistakes

• Its easy to accidentally leave the limb with too
  much room to move be sure to secure it tightly
• Dont wrap things too tightly, otherwise you can
  cause more harm