WARNING!• The following slides contain pictures of
actual injuries. – They may be too intense for small children or
sensitive persons.
• The purpose is not to sensationalize or shock. – The purpose is to prepare you for what you may
encounter during a real disaster and to stimulate discussion of the treatment of these injuries.
Most Common Injuries
• Blunt Force Trauma• Bruises• Sprains/Strains/Fractures
• Lacerations• Abrasions• Open Wounds
Head Bandaging
• Most common injuries during a disaster is a minor head injury– Hardest part to properly
bandage
• Standard circular wrap is the easiest– Doesn't work for the top of
the head
• Head bandana for injuries on the top of the head
Head Bandage
• Use a triangular bandage– Short tail in center– Long tails around sides
• Long tails over short in back
• Crisscross long tails and bring to front and tie
• Pull short tail tight and tuck
Treating Fractures, Sprains, And Strains
• Objective: Immobilize the injury & joints above and below the injury site
• Treatment depends on type of injury
Open vs. Closed Fractures
• The only difference in field care, between Open and Closed, is to treat the wound as well as the fracture
Treating An Open Fracture• Don’t . . .
– Draw exposed bones back into tissue
– Irrigate wound
• Do . . .– Cover wound– Splint fracture without
disturbing wound– Place moist 4 X 4
bandage over bone end to prevent drying
Guidelines For Splinting• Support injured area• Immobilize adjacent joints• Splint in normal position
– Splint injury in position you find it
• Unless it interferes with transport
– Don’t try to realign bones
• Keep fingers and toes exposed– Check for color, warmth, and
sensation
Treatment of an Injured Arm or Hand
• If possible place the arm in the “Pledge Allegiance” position– Hand high– Prepare for transport– If unable to move
• Splint in the position found
• To Finish - Apply sling & binder
Hard Splints
• Wood, Cardboard, Etc.– Pad any bony prominence– Fill the hollows
• Tie or Tape the top and bottom of splint– Above and below joints– Above and below injury
• Usually, the more ties the better!
Soft Splints
• Any soft material rolled and compressed tight enough becomes an acceptable splint– Form fitting– More comfortable
Anatomical Splints
• Splinting an injured part of the body to another uninjured part
• Pad the bony prominences
• Fill the hollows
Injury to Hand or Fingers
• Splint in the position of function if able– If unable to place in
position of function splint as well as possible
• Sling & Binder• Keep fingernails
visible– Blanch test
occasionally
Hand Dressing
• Position of Function• Elevate with a sling• Leave fingernails
exposed