The first aid treatment for a compound fracture
A compound fracture is a nasty type of bone fracture, (sometimes known as an open fracture) where parts of your bones are sticking out of your skin causing an opening wound. A compound fracture can be really dangerous since it can involve a large amount of blood loss! To know the first aid treatment for it, click on the link here.
First aid treatment for a compound fracture
Step One, Reduce the bleeding.
On any compound fracture, the first important thing to do is to stop the bleeding. Make a bandage out of the cleanest materials you can find, then place it over the wound and apply pressure. Use your hand to apply pressure to the makeshift bandage for two to three minutes and check if the bleeding has been reduced. If the bleeding has reduced then apply the same amount of pressure for the same amount of time and check again if it has not been reduced than apply more pressure and the same amount of time.
Step two, Immobilise and cover the injured bone
If the injured part shifts it may worsen so make sure it remains still, support it carefully so as not to hurt the patient!
To cover the bone make sure you use the cleanest material you possibly can; you shouldn’t rinse it, even bottled drinking water might not be sterile enough and you don’t want to contaminate the wound.
Step three, R.I.C.E
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
R.I.C.E applies to all fractures in general but still keep it in mind.
Step four, check on the patient
Large amounts of blood loss might lead to shock. Monitoring the patient’s pulse and breathing can sometimes help you pick up signs of shock.
Step five, call emergency number for medical help
Compound fractures require medical help immediately. Do not hesitate to call for emergency assistance!
During the procedure it is important to stay calm and try to calm the patient down as well, freaking out is not going to help anyone.
