1. Initial Management of Skeletal and Soft Tissue Injuries
BASIC FIRST AID
Initial Management of Skeletal and Soft Tissue Injuries
Prepared by Marilyn Rausch
Indiana FCRV DAT Program
Based on American Red Cross Participant’s Manual, 3rd edition
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

2. Emphasis today is on a Conscious injured personIF
the person is not conscious
First
Activate the EMS system (call 911)
Then
Perform basic CPR
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

3. Approach to a Conscious injured person
Check Temperature
Check Neck
Check shoulders
Check Chest and Abdomen
Check arms
Check legs
Check skin with the back of your hand
Ask person to bend legs
Approach to a
Conscious
injured
person
Ask person to move head from side to side
Ask person to move fingers, hands and arms
Ask person to shrug shoulders
Ask person to breathe deeply
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

4. If there are no obvious injuries
Help the person into a comfortable position
Help the person to slowly stand when ready
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

5. Splint possible fractures
If there are obvious injuries
Take action CALL 9-1-1
Stop bleeding
Minimize shock
Splint possible fractures
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

6. Controlling external bleeding
CHECK AREA (for safety)
CHECK PERSON (use standard precautions)
CALL if situation warrants.
OBTAIN CONSENT from the victim.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

7. Controlling external bleeding
Use disposable gloves and other personal protective equipment whenever possible.
Always wash hands well with soap and water after treating a cut.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

8. Controlling external bleeding
Cover wound with a sterile dressing
Apply direct pressure until bleeding stops
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

9. Controlling external bleeding
Cover Dressing with bandage
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

10. Controlling external bleeding
If bleeding does not stop, apply more pressure
Take steps to minimize shock*
Call if not already done
Controlling external bleeding
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

11. Prevent or minimize shock
Help victim lie down
Elevate legs about 12”
Keep person from getting chilled or overheated
Do NOT give food or drink
Offer reassurance
Monitor the person’s airway, breathing and circulation
Prevent or minimize shock
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

12. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008
Practice time
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

13. Applying a soft splint Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008
CHECK AREA (for safety)
CHECK PERSON (use standard precautions)
CALL if situation warrants.
OBTAIN CONSENT from the victim.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

14. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008
Applying a soft splint
Use soft materials
Folded Blanket
Towel
pillow
Triangular bandage
Use folded to tie the splint
Make a sling
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

15. Support the injured body part above and below the site of the injury.
Applying a Soft Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Support the injured body part above and below the site of the injury.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

16. Applying a Soft Splint Check for feeling, warmth and color.
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Check for feeling, warmth and color.
(If unable to check for warmth and color, just check for feeling)
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

17. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008
Applying a Soft Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Place several folded triangular bandages above and below the injured body part
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

18. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008
Applying a Soft Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Gently wrap a soft object (a folded blanket or towel) around the injured body part.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

19. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008
Applying a Soft Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Tie triangular bandages securely with knots.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

20. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008
Applying a Soft Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Check again for feeling, warmth and color.
(If unable to check for warmth and color, just check for feeling)
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

21. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008
Practice time
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

22. Applying a rigid splint
CHECK AREA (for safety)
CHECK PERSON (use standard precautions)
CALL if situation warrants.
OBTAIN CONSENT from the victim.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

23. Applying a rigid splint
Materials
Boards
Folded magazines or newspapers
Metal strips (no sharp edges!)
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

24. Applying a RIGID Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Support the injured body part above and below the area of the injury.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

25. Applying a RIGID Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Check for feeling, warmth and color.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

26. Applying a RIGID Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Place the rigid splint (board) under the injured body part and the joints that are above and below the injured body part.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

27. Applying a RIGID Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Tie several folded Triangular bandages above and below the injured body part.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

28. Applying a RIGID Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Recheck for feeling, warmth and color
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

29. Applying a RIGID Splint
If a rigid splint is used on an injured forearm, immobilize the wrist and the elbow. Bind the arm to the chest, using folded triangular bandages, or apply a sling.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

30. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008
Practice time
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

31. Applying an anatomic splint
CHECK AREA (for safety)
CHECK PERSON (use standard precautions)
CALL if situation warrants.
OBTAIN CONSENT from the victim.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

32. Applying an anatomic splint
The person’s body is the splint
Arm braced to chest
Injured leg braced to uninjured leg
“Buddy taping” fingers or toes to adjacent digit.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

33. Applying an Anatomic Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Support the injured body part above and below the site of the injury.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

34. Applying an Anatomic Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Check for feeling, warmth and color
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

35. Applying an Anatomic Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Place several folded triangular bandages above and below the injured body part.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

36. Applying an Anatomic Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Place the uninjured body part next to the injured body part.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

37. Applying an Anatomic Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Tie triangular bandages securely.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

38. Applying an Anatomic Splint
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Recheck for feeling, warmth and color.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

39. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008
Practice time
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

40. Applying a sling and binder
CHECK AREA (for safety)
CHECK PERSON (use standard precautions)
CALL if situation warrants.
OBTAIN CONSENT from the victim.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

41. Applying a sling and binder
Uses
Injuries to shoulder
Injuries to upper arm
Injuries to elbow
Supporting splints placed on forearm or wrist.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

42. Applying a sling and binder
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Support the injured body part above and below the site of the injury.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

43. Applying a sling and binder
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Check for feeling, warmth and color.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

44. Applying a sling and binder
Photos and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Place a triangular bandage under the injured arm and over the uninjured shoulder to form a sling.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

45. Applying a sling and binder
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Tie the ends of the sling at the side of the neck.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

46. Applying a sling and binder
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Bind the injured body part to the chest with a folded triangular bandage
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

47. Applying a sling and binder
Photo and information from American Red Cross Participant’s manual, 3rd edition
Recheck for feeling, warmth and color.
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

48. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008
Practice time
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008

49. Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008
The End
Indiana FCRV DAT Program 2008