IN THIS BLOG
IN THIS BLOG
- Why do You Need to Wear a Sling?
- Step 1: Clean the injury
- Step 2: Remove any Jewellery from the Injured Area
- Step 3: Find a Suitable Cloth
- Step 4: Fold the Cloth in Halves to Form a Triangle
- Step 5: How to Wear a Regular Sling
- Step 5: How to Wear a Tube Sling
- Applying a Binder
- Additional Preventive Measures
- How Can Coast2Coast Help You?
Imagine working in the kitchen and falling off a chair while grabbing something from the top shelf, fracturing your arm. What will you do next? What are the things you need to keep in mind to prevent your condition from worsening?
The right support can make all the difference. With this blog, we aim to ensure that you can make a sling at home that provides you with the utmost support and comfort. In such times, it is key to teach you the proper techniques to help you in effective and quick healing.
Situations like these require immediate assistance. Thus, it is essential to learn the basics of first aid: how to tie the sling in case of an arm dislocation or a sprain so your situation doesn’t deteriorate further by the time you reach a physician.
Don’t worry. We have got you covered!
Here is a comprehensive guide on how to make and wear a sling after an emergency such as an arm dislocation or fracture.
Step 1: Clean the Injury (if applicable)
In some cases, arm fractures or sprains may require cleaning. The wounds should be cleaned thoroughly and the dressing should be changed every few hours. If the injured arm has been exposed and has any open wounds, it is extremely important to disinfect the wounds, dry them, and thoroughly bandage them as a precaution before inserting the arm in the sling. If there is a serious injury or a bone is visible in the injured body parts, please visit a hospital immediately.
The following is the guide for cleaning minor wounds –
- There is usually minimal bleeding with cuts and scrapes, but if the wound is bleeding significantly, apply direct pressure until it stops.
- Rinse the wound for 5 minutes with clean and running tap water if possible.
- Ensure the person is not sensitive to antibiotics, such as penicillin. If the person is not allergic, apply an antibiotic ointment or a cream if available.
- The wound should be covered with a sterile bandage dressing.
- The person should take precautions to ensure that the wound is not susceptible to infection in the upcoming days.
Step 2: Remove any Jewellery from the Injured Area
You need to be careful about any kind of jewelry, waistband, or anything you have worn on the injured area. You need to take that off before you wear the sling, as the injured part can swell due to the injury, and such jewelry can disturb the blood flow, causing pain and irritation.
Step 3: Find a Suitable Cloth
A good and strong sling will be a strong base to prevent your injury from worsening. The cloth size will vary depending on the extent of the injury/affected area. You can use clothes like blankets and towels for this. Usually, a square of fabric, approximately 40 in (1.0m) for each side, will work well. In addition, you need to ensure that the cloth is fairly inelastic, as a stretchy cloth will cause the affected body part to move and bend further, and any kind of movement for your injury can further aggravate it.
Step 4: Fold the Cloth in Halves to Form a Triangle
The cloth should be folded in half to create a triangle formation. Thereafter, fold the cloth fabric across itself to form a triangular shape. The arm will be supported using the thicker portion of the triangle, and the remainder of the fabric will form a secure band across your neck, supporting your shoulders. If the sling is causing too much pressure and is uncomfortable, it can be worn alternatively to create the same shape, and adherence will be provided accordingly.
Step 5: How to Wear a Sling
Regular Sling
1. A person’s circulation should be checked by comparing the warmth and colour of the fingers of the injured arm with the other hand and checking for any numbness or tingling in the fingers.
2. The injured arm should be supported with the other hand and held across the body.
3. The open triangular bandage, blanket, towel, etc. should be slid between the injured arm and the body. The triangular bandage should extend beyond the elbow. The triangle’s base should be parallel to the edge of the body, with the upper point over the shoulder.
4. The bottom end of the bandage should be placed over the other shoulder.
5. The bandage should be tied over one side of the neck to avoid discomfort from the knot.
6. The elbow should be secured by twisting, tying, or pinning the corner of the bandage.
7. The circulation should be re-checked, and the sling should be positioned tightly enough to restrict movement but not tight enough for the blood flow to be affected. If the fingers are cold and if the person feels numbness and tightness, please loosen the bandage
Tube Sling
1. The person should hold the injured arm across the body with their fingers touching the other shoulder.
2. The bandage should be placed over the forearm and hand with the base parallel to the body and the other side extending past the elbow.
3. The forearm should be supported, and the lower edge of the bandage should be tucked under the arm, from the hand to the elbow.
4. The end of the bandage should be twisted below the elbow a few times to ensure that the arm is secured, then brought around the back to meet the other end of the bandage near the person’s neck.
5. The height of the sling should be adjusted to support the arm.
6. Adjust the sling by joining the two ends together in the hollow of the neck on the uninjured side.
7. Put a pad with soft and firm material between the arm and the body.
8. The circulation should be re-checked, and the sling should be positioned tightly enough to restrict movement but not tight enough for the blood flow to be affected. If the fingers are cold and the person feels numbness and tightness, please loosen the bandage.
Applying a Binder for an Arm Injury:
A binder is used in addition to a sling and secures a slung upper extremity to the body. This provides additional support by creating anatomical support in addition to the sling.
- Tie a broad bandage around the affected arm and the body.
- Tie the bandage firmly at the unaffected area.
- Recheck circulation. The binder should fit accurately enough to restrict movement but not be super tight, as it will affect the blood flow.
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Additional Preventive Measures
A good posture should be maintained while the sling is worn. The weight of the injured arm is transferred onto the upper back and neck due to the sling. The added burden can cause back and neck strain, and over a period of time, the sling would cause the area between your shoulder blades to become fatigued and feel the added pressure of the sling.
This additional pressure can be reduced by maintaining a proper and erect posture.
The following are the brief posture instructions:
- Keep your back posture straight while wearing the sling and your shoulders in a pulled-back, relaxed position. Avoid slouching and keep your chin up.
- While sitting with the sling, try to keep your back against the chair’s backrest if possible.
- Keep your back straight and uptight. The posture should be such that the neck is kept straight. Keep your feet planted to the ground. Avoid sinking into a slump or a slouch.
- If you can comfortably support your arm on the chair’s armrest, please continue to do it. If at any point while wearing a sling and severe back/neck pain – please see a doctor.
- Please avoid wearing a sling if you have a known neck or back medical condition.
How Can Coast2Coast Help You?
We at Coast2Coast believe in providing training that can help you protect yourself and your loved ones during the time of an emergency. Some wounds and injuries can be solved in the comfort of your home. With our First-Aid training courses, you will always be prepared and know exactly how to reduce the patient’s pain. This course is designed to teach participants how to help a person in need entirely through hands-on practice. It offers high-quality learning with Canadian Red Cross instructors on how to wear a sling, apply a binder and understand the basics of first-aid.
Contact us now to book your Standard First Aid training sessions with us and be stress-free!
