Fractures
Duke of Edinburgh
What are they caused by?
What are the symptoms?
-Swelling and bruising over the bone.
-Deformity of an arm or leg.
-Pain in the injured area that gets worse when moved or when pressure is applied.
-Loss of function in the injured area.
-If the fractures is open, you may see bone protruding the skin.
If you suspect a really bad bone fracture and theres cuts, you should:
-Keep the person still – do not move them unless there is an immediate danger, especially if you suspect fracture of the skull, spine, ribs, pelvis or upper leg
-Attend to any bleeding wounds first. Stop the bleeding by pressing firmly on the site with a clean dressing. If a bone is protruding, apply pressure around the edges of the wound
-If bleeding is controlled, keep the wound covered with a clean dressing
-Never try to straighten broken bones
-For a limb fracture, provide support and comfort such as a pillow under the lower leg or forearm. However, do not cause further pain or unnecessary movement of the broken bone
- Apply a splint to support the limb. Splints do not have to be professionally manufactured. Items like wooden boards and folded magazines can work for some fractures. You should immobilise the limb above and below the fracture
-Use a sling to support an arm or collarbone fracture
-Raise the fractured area if possible and apply a cold pack to reduce swelling and pain
-Stop the person from eating or drinking anything until they are seen by a doctor, in case they will need surgery
-In an emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
What to do if there is no cuts:
R – Rest
I – Ice, applied for no more than 20 minutes an hour.
C – Compression, reduces swelling. Be sure that compression bandages do not compromise blood flow.
E – Elevation, elevate affect joint above the level of the heart to reduce swelling.
The DO nots!
DO NOT attempt to straighten a broken limb.
DO NOT push the exposed ends of bone back into the skin.
DO NOT let someone move if they have an open leg fracture.
DO NOT walk on a suspected leg fracture.