Fractures can occur during a natural disaster like a hurricane or an earthquake. When you trip and fall due to the ground shaking, you may fracture your arm. If you are crouching with your hands on your head, a cupboard near you may tip over and fall on you causing a leg fracture.
Anything is possible when the ground beneath you starts to move or there are strong winds blowing projectiles towards your home and you. A situation like a terrorist attack with active shooters can cause you to have a fracture, if you trip and fall over while running for cover.
In this article we will look at how you can quickly treat a fracture. The goal here is to protect your limb. Ultimately, you must get to a hospital and get it treated. X-rays will need to be done to determine the fracture and place a cast.
The first aid techniques shown here are to be used to immobilize the affected limb so that pain is minimized, and any internal bone damage is not exacerbated.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Fracture
The first thing that you should be able to do is to recognize the signs and symptoms of a fracture. The most obvious type of fracture is the open fracture. This is where the broken bone has pierced the skin and is now protruding out of the limb.
If the patient heard or felt his/her bones crack or they can feel like bone rubbing against bone internally during impact, there might be a fracture. Other signs are swelling, a tingling feeling and numbness in the area. There may be other wounds close to the affected area as well. The pain of a fracture will worsens over time. This is one of the surest signs of a fracture.
How To Treat Arm Fractures
Contrary to popular belief, not all arm fractures require you to place the arm in a sling. If the fracture is close to the elbow and the bone breaks in a way where bending the arm at the elbow causes more pain, you should avoid a sling. Instead, place a towel between the arm and midsection of your body so that there is no gap between the arm and the body. You may use a belt or two bandages to tie around the arm and midsection. In this way, the arm will be immobilized and close to the body supported by the towel.
If it is a simple fracture, you can use a triangular bandage to form a sling for the fractured arm and tie the ends behind the patients neck. Once again, you can tie a second bandage around the arm and your chest to immobilize the arm further. The aim here is to provide support and prevent excessive movement of the injured limb.
How To Treat A Leg Fracture
Leg fractures are slightly more complicated. For a lower leg fracture, it is best to ask the person to lie flat and feel the patients affected foot to see if they can sense your touch.
Roll up a towel and place it between both legs. Now tie a bandage around the ankles with the towel sandwiched between. Tie a second bandage around both legs just below the knee. This will immobilize the legs and prevent the fractured limb from moving about.
In the event that there is an open fracture and the bone is protruding through the skin, the first step is to stop the bleeding. Apply pressure on the sides of the bone and skin to stop the bleeding. Do not apply pressure on top of the bone and try to push it back in.
Once the bleeding stops, roll up some towels or padding and place them around the affected bone. In this way, you are protecting the injured area with cushioning material. Roll up a towel and place it along the outer side of the leg. Place a wooden splint next to the towel and tie it all together with one bandage around the ankle and one around the thigh.
Now you have immobilized the limb. Using splints is required if medical help is out of reach. The splint on one leg will allow the victim to still move with a makeshift crutch till he/she gets to a place where they can call for help.
In Conclusion
Remember the tips above and if you or anyone you know ever experiences a fracture out in the hills, you will know what to do. Stay safe.
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