Splinting

• 1). Make sure the injured limb is not moved from the position you find it in. Moving the limb can tear blood vessels or nerves and make the fracture worse.
  
  
• 2). Take the aluminum splint and position it beside the injured limb so you can measure it. Unroll the splint and measure a piece that starts five inches past the elbow and runs down to the fingertips of the injured limb. Cut the splint with the scissors at this length.
  
  
• 3). Place one compression wrap gently in the palm of the injured arm. The fingers should drape over the wrap. This is the neutral position for the hand and wrist, so it should be most comfortable for the patient. If it causes the patient discomfort, or you need to move the wrist, do not perform this step.
  
  
• 4). Position the splint beneath the injured limb. The splint should start at the base of the fingers beneath the compression wrap and help hold the wrap in the palm of the hand. Take great care not to move the patient's arm during this process.
  
  
• 5). Bend the aluminum and foam splint to fit the contour of the patient's arm. Do this for the entire length of the splint, which should extend beyond the elbow to the upper arm.
  
  
• 6). Use the other compression wrap to hold the aluminum splint in place. Start at the wrist, pulling very slight tension on the wrap, and continue up towards the elbow. Overlap the wrap on itself by about half each time around, and continue until you run out. Tuck in the end of the wrap.
  
  
• 7). Place the splinted arm in the sling. The elbow and wrist should be secured in place by the splint, but the shoulder may need to be moved to fit the arm in the sling. Place the arm in whichever position is most comfortable for the patient and tie the sling in place behind the neck.