First Aid on a Broken Bone

illustration (photo: Thinkstock)

Fractures commonly referred to as fractures and classified into 2 types, namely closed fractures and open fractures. In a closed fracture, the fracture did not get out through the skin. 

While in open fractures, some or all of the broken bone visible through the skin. This case can be dangerous because the victim is likely to lose a lot of blood and prone to infection.

Do not move the victim unless there is a medical staff of experienced, especially if the wound is the head, neck or spine. If you have moved, make sure the wound does not shift or move because of the removal process. For example, tie the legs are injured with uninjured leg, then moved.

According to Stanley M. Zildo as quoted from his book 'First Aid, How to Properly Handling First Aid and Emergency', the symptoms of fracture include:
- Victims feel or hear a bone fracture
- The wound was painful, especially when touched or moved
- It's hard to move the injured part
- Movement of the injured body part not normal or usual
- Visible swelling
- There is a sense of uneasy sensation at the tip of the body injured
- There seems to change shape
 The size or length of the bone is different from other body pair
- The injured body looks blue

If meet the above symptoms, emergency treatment to do is:

1. Open the airway, perform artificial breathing if necessary
2. Stop the bleeding in case of open fractures. Scissors clothing of the victim before making aid.
3. If victim is unconscious, thought he had a wound in the head, neck or spine.
4. Do not try to restore the bone that looks out.
5. Do not clean the wound or bone paste something on purpose to help injured though.
6. Cover the wound gently with a sterile cloth or bandage to stop the bleeding.
7. Close the wound as a whole, including bones protruding.
8. Contact paramedics or an ambulance, do not pick up the wounded in the head, neck or spine without the use of a stretcher. Keep your head straight to the body.
9. If medical help is yet to come while the victim had to be taken to the hospital, use the splint above and below the wound before they moved.
10. Do not give food or drink to the victim.