How to Make a Long Arm Splint
Knowing how to make a homemade plaster splint is important information for any parent to have on hand. With only a few simple supplies, a long-arm splint can be made efficiently and effectively. Although a trip to the doctor most likely is inevitable in situations requiring such a splint, a homemade plaster splint is a good way to stabilize an injury until medical professionals examine the arm.
Instructions
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Apply a cotton bandage. Start at the palm and wrap the arm, using minimal pressure. Keep the elbow bent at 90 degrees and finish wrapping three to four inches above the elbow.
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2
Prepare the plaster. Using a roll of plaster about three inches wide, submerge the plaster in lukewarm water. If the water is too hot, the plaster will set too quickly; if the water is too cold, the plaster will set too slowly. Keep the roll submerged until all air bubbles disappear.
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Form a splint. The splint needs seven or eight layers of plaster. Cut eight layers from the plaster roll and stack them on top of each other. Place this plaster slab around the outside of the arm, forming it to the arm in the shape of a semicircle and starting just below the knuckles and ending three to four inches past the elbow. Maintain a 90-degree angle at the elbow. Smooth the plaster and allow it to dry in place.
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4
Apply an Ace bandage to hold the splint in place. Start near the palm and work your way up the arm. Overlap 50 percent of the bandage's width with each pass as it is rolled along the arm to cover the splint completely.
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Place the arm in a sling to help keep it safe and close to the body.
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Tips & Warnings
Use gentle, even pressure when applying the bandages. If they are too tight, blood circulation could be cut. Allow the plaster to dry completely before wrapping the Ace bandage.
If you injure yourself seriously, contact your doctor immediately.
References
- Photo Credit pointnshoot/flickr.com
