Copyright (c) 2008 Wilfred Ball
First Aid for Broken Bones - Help is On the Way!
First aid for broken bones has two initial concerns. The first is to get the person to a doctor as quickly as possible. The second is to prevent further damage in the fracture area due to unnecessary movement until help arrives. When bones are broken, the surrounding tissue is affected. This is especially true when the bone breaks into pieces which move around. In addition, some suspected broken bones, such as neck or back bones, require special handling
First aid for broken bones concentrates on stabilizing the fracture area long enough to seek emergency assistance. The first thing you want to do is visually evaluate the area and determine if there's bleeding. If so, the bleeding should be stopped using compression. This will probably be painful for the person with the broken bone though, so only worry about serious or life threatening bleeding.
You should not try to move a person with a broken bone. The more the injured person can remain immobile until help arrives, the more likely there will not be additional injury. When a bone breaks, the bone injury and damage to surrounding tissue can cause shock. It's important to cover the person with a blanket or some other covering if at all possible.
Most bone fractures will not cause death. But some fractures can cause paralysis or brain damage if not handled properly. If you know or suspect a person has a head, neck or back injury, first aid for broken bones dictates using whatever you can to keep the person straight and still. There have been many cases where paralysis occurred only because the bones shifted when the person with the injury moved. Broken bones can sever nerves and cause lots of other problems.
In the case of broken arms and legs, first aid for broken bones includes applying cold compresses or ice to the fracture area. This reduces bruising and swelling. The limb should also be elevated. Sometimes injuries occur in places where help cannot be reached immediately. In that case, first aid for broken bones would include making a splint for the arm or leg for immobilization and finding a way to keep weight off the leg through a makeshift crutch.
If the area below the fracture turns blue and cold, it means the fracture has cut off the supply of blood. In this case, first aid for broken bones focuses on straightening the limb as much as possible in order to restore blood flow. This should be done cautiously, gently and slowly.
Immediate first aid for broken bones can play a crucial role in preventing permanent damage as a result of the injury. Keeping the injured person immobile as much as possible is important. You should always get medical help as soon as possible.
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