Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN
FAST RESCUE BOATS
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up into the armpit; a splint in this position can cause a dangerous
compression of the blood vessels and nerves and may be extremely painful
to the victim. If the fracture is at or near the elbow, the arm may be either bent
or straight. No matter in what position you find the arm, DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO STRAIGHTEN IT OR MOVE IT IN ANY WAY. Splint the arm
as carefully as possible in the position in which you find it. This will prevent
further nerve and blood vessel damage. The only exception to this is if there is
no pulse distal to the fracture, in which case gentle traction is applied and
then the arm is splinted. Treat the victim for shock and get him under the care
of a medical officer as soon as possible.
Fig.15-16 Splint and sling for a fractured upper arm
Thigh Fracture
The femur is the long bone of the upper part of the leg between the kneecap
and the pelvis. When the femur is fractured through, any attempt to
move the limb results in a spasm of the muscles and causes
excruciating pain. The leg has a wobbly motion, and there is complete loss
of control below the fracture. The limb usually assumes an unnatural position,
with the toes pointing outward.
By actual measurement, the fractured leg is shorter than the uninjured one
because of contraction of the powerful thigh muscles. Serious damage to
blood vessels and nerves often results from a fracture of the femur, and shock
is likely to be severe. If the fracture is open, stop the bleeding and treat the
wound before attempting to treat the fracture itself. Serious bleeding is a
special danger in this type of injury, since the broken bone may tear or cut
the large artery in the thigh.
Carefully straighten the leg. Apply two splints, one on the outside of the
injured leg and one on the inside. The outside splint should reach from the
armpit to the foot. The inside splint should reach from the crotch to the foot.
The splints should be fastened in five places: (1) around the ankle; (2) over
the knee; (3) just below the hip; (4) around the pelvis; and (5) just below the
armpit (fig. 15-17).The legs can then be tied together to support the
injured leg as firmly as possible.
It is essential that a fractured thigh be splinted before the victim is moved.
Manufactured splints, such as the Hare or the Thomas half-ring traction