1 Support arm
2Put arm in sling
3Seek medical help
44 FIRST AID
Broken arm
The fracture of an arm bone is not as serious as that of a leg bone( p. 45) because the victim is usually able to walk and get to the hospital relatively easily. The aims of first-aid treatment for a broken arm are to control any bleeding, to support the injured arm with a sling, and to transport the victim to the hospital, keeping the arm as still as possible.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• Limb held at awkward angle
• Limb cannot be moved
• Severe pain
• Swelling and bruising
• Possible wound above fracture site
TREATING A BROKEN ARM
1 Support arm
• Sit the victim down.
• If there is a wound, treat any bleeding( p. 31).
• Ask the victim to support the injured arm across his chest so that it feels comfortable. Tell him to hold the injured hand a little higher than the elbow.
Keep the arm raised slightly
2Put arm in sling
• Put some padding between the arm and the chest for comfort, then support the injured arm with a sling( p. 63).
• To keep the arm still, tie another folded triangular bandage around the chest and over the sling.
Use extra bandage to keep the arm still
Tie sling around neck
! Important
• Do not give the victim anything to eat, drink, or smoke.
• If the elbow is injured, do not attempt to bend the arm. Lay the
victim down, surround the limb with padding, and dial 911 or call EMS.
• An injured arm may not be fractured, but if you are in doubt, treat it as a
fracture until it can be x-rayed.
3Seek medical help
• Take or send the victim to the hospital to have the injury assessed.
• Make sure that the arm is kept still during the trip to the hospital.