d. Apply Padding. Place padding between the rigid objects and the limb.
Apply extra padding to bony body areas such as the knee and ankle and at sensitive
areas such as the groin.
e. Secure the Rigid Objects and Check Circulation. Wrap the securing
materials around the rigid objects so they immobilize the limb. Tie the tails of each
securing cravat in a non-slip knot on the outer rigid object and away from the casualty.
The securing material should be tight enough to hold the rigid objects securely in place,
but not tight enough to interfere with blood circulation. (You should be able to slip one
finger between the knot and the rigid object.) Check the casualty's pulse after each
cravat is tied. If the cravat interferes with the casualty's circulation, loosen the cravat
and apply it again.
(1)
Begin with the cravat positioned above the fracture site.
(2)
Next, apply the cravat just below the fracture site.
(3) Continue applying cravats, checking the casualty's circulation after each
cravat is tightened.
(4) When securing the cravat going under the injured ankle only, bring the
cravat up the outside of the splints, cross the tails over the boot, bring the tails down
below the sole of the boot, cross the tails, bring the tails back to the top of the boot, and
tie the tails in a non-slip knot at the instep.
(5) Use the cravat going under both ankles to secure the injured leg to the
uninjured leg. Bring the cravat up the outside splint and the outside of the uninjured
ankle, cross the cravat over the tops of the casualty's boots, bring the tails down below
the boots, and tie them together in a non-slip knot at the soles.
4-4.
IMMOBILIZE A FRACTURED LEG (IMPROVISED SPLINT)
A fractured tibia or fibula in the lower leg can be immobilized with an improvised
splint. The improvised splint used to immobilize a fractured thigh (see paragraph 4-3)
can also be used to immobilize a fractured leg. The following procedures are used to
apply shorter boards to immobilize a fractured leg (see figure 4-5). The same basic
procedures can also be used with other improvised splints. Figure 4-6 shows a tree
limb splint used to immobilize a fractured leg or ankle. Figure 4-7 shows a blanket and
poles splint used to immobilize a fractured knee (knee straight), leg, or ankle. Figure 4-
8 shows the casualty's uninjured leg being used as the rigid object (anatomical splint) to
immobilize the injured leg. A splint used for a fracture can also be used for a
dislocation.
MD0533
4-8