Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN
FAST RESCUE BOATS
15 14
Kneecap Fracture
The following first aid treatment should be given for a fractured kneecap
(patella): Carefully straighten the injured limb. Immobilize the fracture by
placing a padded board under the injured limb.
The board should be at least 4 inches wide and should reach from the buttock
to the heel. Place extra padding under the knee and just above the heel, as
shown in figure 15-18.
Use strips of bandage to fasten the leg to the board in four places: (1) just
below the knee; (2) just above the knee; (3) at the ankle; and (4) at the
thigh. Do not cover the knee itself. Swelling is likely to occur very rapidly, and
any bandage or tie fastened over the knee would quickly become too tight.
Treat the victim for shock and evacuate as soon as possible.
Clavicle Fracture
A person with a fractured clavicle usually shows definite symptoms. When
the victim stands, the injured shoulder is lower than the uninjured one. The
victim is usually unable to raise the arm above the level of the shoulder and
may attempt to support the injured shoulder by holding the elbow of that side
in the other hand.
This is the characteristic position of a person with a broken clavicle. Since
the clavicle lies immediately under the skin, you may be able to detect the
point of fracture by the deformity and localized pain and tenderness. If the
fracture is open, stop the flow of blood and treat the wound before attempting
to treat the fracture. Then apply a sling and swathe splint as described below
(and illustrated in figure 15-19).
Bend the victim’s arm on the injured side, and place the forearm across the
chest. The palm of the hand should be turned in, with the thumb pointed up.
The hand should be raised about 4 inches above the level of the elbow.
Support the forearm in this position by means of a wide sling. A wide roller
bandage (or any wide strip of cloth) may be used to secure the victim’s
arm to the body. A figure-eight bandage may also be used for a fractured
clavicle. Treat the victim for shock and evacuate to a definitive care facility as
soon as possible.
Fig.15-19 Sling for
immobilizing fractured
clavicle