Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

8 Muscle, Bone and Joint Injuries

Possible life threat

Remember not to use ice, cold packs, or other frozen material in the following: • Directly against the skin. Always use a thin cloth in between to protect the skin from freezing. • Over an open wound or over skin that is being tented (pushed up) by a broken bone. • If the patient is sensitive to cold or if they are unable to tell you if they are senstive to cold, as with an altered level of consciousness or unconsciousness.

• Multiple closed fractures • Fracture of long bones in both legs Life threat

• Multiple open fractures • Displaced pelvic fractures Most muscle bone and joint injury will benefit from some or all the components of R.I.S.E. Rest – Keep the patient as quiet and comfortable as possible. Ice – Use ice, a cold pack, or cold compresses to slow bleeding, swelling, and pain. Splint – Immobilize the injured part. Elevation – Raise the injured part slightly higher than the heart to decrease swelling.

First Aid for fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains is essentially the same utilizing R.I.S.E.

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