Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN
FAST RESCUE BOATS
15 15
Rib Fracture
If a rib is broken, make the victim comfortable and quiet so that the
greatest danger the possibility of further damage to the lungs, heart, or chest
wall by the broken ends is minimized. The common finding in all victims with
fractured ribs is pain localized at the site of the fracture.
By asking the patient to point out the exact area of the pain, you can often
determine the location of the injury. There may or may not be a rib deformity,
chest wall contusion, or laceration of the area. Deep breathing, coughing, or
movement is usually painful. The patient generally wishes to remain still and
may often lean toward the injured side, with a hand over the fractured area to
immobilize the chest and to ease the pain.
Ordinarily, rib fractures are not bound, strapped, or taped if the
victim is reasonably comfortable. However, they may be splinted by the use of
external support. If the patient is considerably more comfortable with the
chest immobilized, the best method is to use a swathe (fig.15-20) in which
the arm on the injured side is strapped to the chest to limit motion.
Place the arm on the injured side against the chest, with the palm flat,
thumb up, and the forearm raised to a 45°angle. Immobilize the chest, using
wide strips of bandage to secure the arm to the chest. Do not use wide strips
of adhesive plaster applied directly to the skin of the chest for immobilization
since the adhesive tends to limit the ability of the chest to expand (interfering
with proper breathing).
Treat the victim for shock and evacuate as soon as possible.
Fig. 15-20 Swathe bandage of fractured rib victim