taskchp9

Task

Splint a suspected fracture of the arm or leg.

Conditions

Given a casualty who has an arm or leg which you think is broken. The casualty has no more serious wounds or conditions that have not been treated. Materials to make, pad, and tie a splint are available.

Standard

Splint the suspected broken arm or leg so that the arm or leg does not move and circulation is not impaired. Score a GO on the performance checklist.

Site Preparation

You will need another soldier to play the part of the casualty. have the casualty lie down or sit. Place splinting materials nearby. Have splints, padding, and materials for ties, slings, and swathes available which are appropriate to the fracture location on the arm or leg. If available, have two or more pairs of splints of varying lengths to help in scoring step 9. Do not evaluate step 25 in the simulated mode.

Student Equipment

Bandages

Rigid material for splints (tree branches, poles, boards, sticks or other rigid objects)

Padding material (blankets, jackets, ponchos, extra clothing, shelter halves, or leafy plants)

Securing materials (cravats, clothing, pistol belts, bandoleers, or similar materials)

Scenario

Tell the soldier that the casualty has a suspected closed fracture and where it is located (lower arm, elbow, upper leg, lower leg). Tell the soldier to splint the suspected fracture.

Performance Measures	Results
1. Reassures casualty.	Go	No-go
2. Locates fracture site.	Go	No-go
3. Checks circulation below fracture site.	Go	No-go
4. Loosens tight clothing.	Go	No-go
5. Removes any jewelry on the injured limb.	Go	No-go
6. Dresses open wounds on limb (if present).	Go	No-go
7. Question: What should you do if a bone is sticking out of the open wound on the limb?	Go	No-go
8. Checks circulation below fracture site.	Go	No-go
9. Splints the fracture in the position found (does not attempt to straighten limb).	Go	No-go
10. Places cravats (or other securing material) under limb with at least one cravat above the fracture site and at least one cravat below the fracture site and none over the fracture site.	Go	No-go
11. Places rigid objects on each side of the fractured limb.	Go	No-go
12. Places padding between limb and rigid objects.	Go	No-go
13. Secures rigid objects in place with cravats.	Go	No-go
14. Ties non-slip knots on the outside rigid object.	Go	No-go
15. Checks the casualty's circulation below the injury.	Go	No-go
16. If limb has poor circulation, loosens cravats, repositions rigid objects (if needed), adds padding (if needed), and reties the cravats.	Go	No-go
17. Cravats tied tight enough to securely hold the rigid objects in place.	Go	No-go

18. Question: What would you do if the casualty has poor blood circulation below the fracture and adjusting the splint does not help?	Go	No-go
NOTE: The following steps are performed for a fracture of a forearm, wrist, or hand.
19. Makes a triangular bandage to use as a sling.	Go	No-go
20. Positions the injured arm in the center of the sling with apex beyond the elbow and top end over shoulder of injured side and behind the casualty's neck.	Go	No-go
21. Brings other end of the sling over injured arm and ties ends at the neck on the uninjured side.	Go	No-go
22. Twists and tucks the apex of the sling at the elbow.	Go	No-go
23. Wraps swathe around upper arm and chest so the casualty's injured arm is immobilized and the uninjured arm is still free.	Go	No-go
24. Ties the ends of the swathe in a non-slip knot on the casualty's uninjured side.	Go	No-go
25. Watch the casualty closely for life-threatening conditions and check for other injuries, if necessary.	Go	No-go
26. OVERALL EVALUATION	Go	No-go

Score the student GO if all performance measures are go. Score the student NO GO if any performance measure is no-go. If the student scores a NO GO, show the student what was done wrong and how to do it correctly.