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