When a bone is broken it is either cracked or has broken into several pieces. This is also commonly known as a fracture and can be caused by violent trauma, an accident or a sports injury. Thankfully, they usually aren’t considered to be a life-threatening situation but medical care is required immediately.
It’s important to learn how to recognize a broken bone so that it can be treated properly while waiting for help to arrive. Some of the symptoms of a break include the following:
- Severe pain that is worse with motion
- Injured area is numb
- The area shows visible deformity
- Swelling
- Heavy bleeding
- A bluish colour
- In severe cases, a bone may protrude through the skin
First-Aid for Broken Bones
If you are in the vicinity of someone that you suspect may have a broken bone, the first thing you must do is stop the bleeding if there is any. The area should be elevated and pressure applied over the wound. The injured part must be immobilized. If an arm or leg may be broken you can use a sling or a splint to keep it from moving. If you suspect a person has a broken back or neck, call 911 immediately and instruct the patient to remain still until paramedics arrive.
Cold packs may be applied to the area for no more than 10 minutes at a time and if it looks like the person is in shock, cover him with clothing or a blanket to keep him warm and reassure him while help is on the way. If the person has stopped breathing, you must be prepared to administer CPR right away.
First-aid treatments can make a person much more comfortable if he has broken a bone, can prevent any further damage and in severe cases may even save a life. Learn first-aid for broken bones, shock and CPR by taking a course today! You can find courses that are ongoing in your local area by visiting our website at www.heart2heartcpr.com.