How to Splint a Fractured Collarbone in the Wilderness

Splinting a fracture is important for reducing pain and speeding healing. The technique for splinting a collarbone is to make a sling and swathe.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Assess for fracture (see "How to Assess for Fracture").

2. Immobilize the injury: Any movement is not only very painful but also can worsen the injury.

3. Put a wad of clothing, or some other soft material, into the hand of the arm on the same side as the collarbone fracture. This maintains the hand in the position of function.

4. Gather at least two triangular bandages.

5. Orient one of the bandages so that the point opposite the long side of the triangle is pointing toward the same side of the injured person as the collarbone fracture is on.

6. Keep the elbow flexed at 90 degrees, positioning the arm so that the forearm is at a 30-degree angle to the ground, with the hand higher than the elbow.

7. Cradle the arm into the triangular bandage.

8. Pull the half of the bandage that is farther from the injured person up and over the same side of the neck as the injury.

9. Pull the half of the bandage that is closer to the injured person up and over the opposite side of the neck from the injury.

10. Tie the two ends of the bandage together behind the neck.

11. Place padding between the collarbone fracture and the sling, if necessary to minimize pain.

12. Fold a triangular bandage into a cravat (this will become the swathe).

13. Pull the cravat around the person: under the armpit opposite the collarbone fracture on one side, over the arm on the other side. The bandage should be parallel to the ground.

14. Tie the ends of the cravat together.

15. Monitor the fingers of the slung arm regularly for circulation, sensation and motion.

16. Continue with further treatment for the fracture (see related eHows on treating fractures).

Tips & Warnings

• You can use folded-over bandannas instead of triangular bandages, or you can cut a bandanna in two, making two triangular bandages.
• Make sure the elbow is contained in the sling; otherwise the arm may slide out of the sling. To do this you may need to safety-pin the dangling elbow-end of the bandage to the rest of the sling.
• Make sure the shoulder on the injured side is immobilized. You may have to make a second swathe to ensure this.
• If you only have one triangular bandage, you can use some other material - a pack strap, webbing, rope or clothing, for example - for the swathe.
• Contact the Wilderness Medicine Institute or the National Outdoor Leadership School for information on wilderness medicine courses and books.
• Don't cover the fingers. They need to be accessible so that you can regularly check circulation, sensation and motion.
• Don't tie the sling or swathe too tight. This could cut off circulation.
• If sensation in the pinkie and ring finger diminishes, you may need to pad the elbow to relieve pressure on the nerves. Do so carefully, minimizing movement.
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!