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