How to Make a Splint in an Emergency: Call 911, if Possible

You may suddenly need a splint. Life moves on quickly and accidents occur suddenly, with fractures, sprains or strains. This can happen to you, a family member or a friend, often when least expected.

Consider the following tips on how to make a splint in an emergency.

Whether it is a fracture, sprain or a strain, supporting the injured area in some way, is important.

MedicinePlus suggests “a splint is a device used for holding a part of the body stable to decrease pain and prevent further injury.”

Consider splint application for suspected fractures, when a person suddenly experiences sharp pain in a limb, accompanied by an audible sound of cracking. There may be a bone protruding through the skin with evidence of bleeding. Be aware that fractures can occur without any audible sound of bone breakage.

Medical help is necessary, but it may not be available immediately. Open wounds must be treated prior to the application of any kind of a splint. It is important to stop the bleeding and to dress the wound first, before applying a makeshift splint.

Other kinds of fractures may reveal bone displacement with immediate or later swelling, bruising and a change in color. These can be quite painful. Fractures do not always manifest displacement and an x-ray may be required for diagnosis. A green-stick fracture, where there is not a total breakage of the bone is not always evident. It is advisable to splint any suspected fracture.

Sprains and strains are painful, but do not show evidence of a fracture. Splinting them will mobilize the limb, making the injured person feel more comfortable. It may be possible to wrap the limb in a temporary elastic or tensor bandage. That may prove to be sufficient support, but if pain persists, splinting is a good idea. Applying ice is effective as it will reduce swelling and help to decrease the pain.

What can you use for an emergency splint?

What you use for an emergency splint depends upon where you are and what you have available. It also depends upon the kind of bone injury. Usually, anything relatively firm can be tied in place somehow and will work for a temporary splint.

What one uses for a splint should be longer than the involved limb and wide enough to extend beyond the width of the area of the injury. It should also extend beyond any nearby joints.  

Circulation is important when applying any kind of a splint. Note loss of color, feeling or absence of pulse on a regular basis. It may be necessary to loosen the splint ties at 15-20 minute intervals to maintain adequate circulation.

Tying the splint both above and below the injury area will help to stabilize it.

Note that when there is obvious displacement, the limb should remain in the position it is in. Attempting to change its position may increase damage to the limb. In a situation where there is no medical assistance available, it may be necessary to attempt to place the fractured limb into correct alignment. This is not usually advisable other than in an emergency and requires caution on the part of the person attempting a re-alignment.

Many different things can be used as splints in an emergency.

Cover the emergency splint with something that will act as padding for it. This can be something soft placed over a firm piece of wood, a tree branch, a magazine, or whatever else you have available to make a splint. Padding helps prevent damage to the skin. Carefully place it under the fractured limb, moving it as little as possible to avoid increasing the injured person's pain or causing additional damage.

Other things like a towel, jacket or clothing, as well as small blankets rolled up to make it relatively firm, can serve as an emergency splint. Limbs may help stabilize other limbs, particularly broken fingers or toes, when tied together with a handkerchief, scarf or taped together.

Temporary ties can created from belts, scarves, boot or shoelaces, a man's tie or fabric of various kinds can be cut into strips. If there are no ties of any kind available, wrapping something like a sweater around the splint, can be effective and hold it in place.

Serious fractures like spinal injuries or neck injuries should entail log rolling the injured person with proper support of his or her head and neck.

Note that while it is not always possible to obtain immediate, medical attention, the injured person should be taken to a medical facility, as soon as possible for further treatment. A record of the injured person’s vital signs is important. CPR should be performed, as necessary.