What are splints in first aid?
What are splints in first aid?
Splints are used to immobilise and support an injured part of the body to prevent any further damage occurring. It is a piece of medical equipment but can be created out of makeshift materials if the injury occurs outside the home and you don’t have access to the device.
What can be used as a splint?
Find something rigid to use as supports to make the splint, such as sticks, boards, or even rolled up newspapers. If none can be found, use a rolled blanket or clothing. An injured body part can also be taped to an uninjured body part in order to prevent it from moving.
What is Sam splint used for in a first aid kit?
The SAM (structural aluminum malleable) splint is a compact, lightweight, highly versatile device designed for immobilizing bone and soft tissue injuries in emergency settings.
What are the types of splints?
Commonly Used Splints and Casts
| Area of injury | Type of splint |
|---|---|
| Forearm/wrist | Volar/dorsal forearm, single sugar-tong |
| Elbow/forearm | Long arm posterior, double sugar-tong |
| Knee | Posterior knee, off-the-shelf immobilizer |
| Tibia/fibula | Posterior ankle (mid-shaft and distal fractures), bulky Jones |
How many different types of splints are there?
In emergency cases, anything can be used for splinting, yet there are two types of splints: Flexible. Rigid.
What are foot splints used for?
Doctors use splints to temporarily immobilize the foot or ankle. These devices can be useful as a first step in treating fractures the doctor plans to cast later once the swelling goes down.
How do you use splints in first aid?
How to apply a splint
- Attend to any bleeding. Attend to bleeding, if any, before you attempt to place the splint.
- Apply padding. Then, apply a bandage, a square of gauze, or a piece of cloth.
- Place the splint.
- Watch for signs of decreased blood circulation or shock.
- Seek medical help.
How do you store SAM splints?
The Splint can be held in place with anything from torn t-shirts to tape. Elasticated bandages, cohesive bandages and cling film provide greater stability and more even pressure along the limb.
Why do splints hurt?
If the skin becomes red or sore around the edge of the splint, you may pad the edges with a soft material, such as moleskin, or use tape to cover the edges. If you’re allowed to take your splint off, be sure your skin is dry before you put it back on. Be careful not to put the splint on too tightly.
Which is the best type of splint to use?
Rigid splints should be padded well and should always extend one joint above and below the fracture. This type of splint includes air splints, pillows, and sling and swathe-type splints. Air splints are good for fractures of the lower arm and lower leg.
Why are splints so important in first aid?
This makes first aid an essential skill in your arsenal so that you can take care of yourself or people in your survival group. What is a splint? A splint is a piece of medical equipment that keeps an injured body part from moving. The splint also protects your arm or leg from further damage.
What kind of splint do I need for pre hospital?
There are several different types of traction splint available for use in the pre hospital field which can be easily applied after suitable training. These are made from either plastic or nylon, often with an elasticated panel and velcro attachments.
What’s the best way to treat a shin splint?
Tape the shin splint using medical tape to lessen the symptoms, provide support for the muscle of the lower leg and lessen traction forces. Use a neoprene sleeve to warm the leg. Soak the feet and lower legs in a warm Epsom salt bath for at least 15 minutes to lessen the swelling and pain.
How do you make a splint?
Making a Splint Prepare the hand for splinting. Put small pieces of cotton or gauze between each finger at the base of the hand to help absorb sweat. Make or cut the splint as needed. Measure out a length for the splint that can adequately immobilize the hand and fingers. Position and contour the splint.
What is first aid splint?
An inflatable splint is a plastic piece of first aid equipment that is premade in the shape of a limb. It is used to hold the bones in an immobile position until the patient is able to be taken to a hospital to have the bone set and put in a cast. An inflatable splint is only used to immobilize a broken limb temporarily.
What is first aid for fracture?
First aid treatment for an open fracture is to put a sterile dressing over the wound and immobilize the extremity as best as possible. Open fractures are very serious and probably the most important aspect of early care is getting to a hospital as quickly as possible.
What is a splint fracture?
Fracture splints are the methods and materials to immobilize the fracture for transport when fracture or break in the bone can result from an injury. A fracture occurs when a force acts on bone and bone can not effectively resist the force and gives way.