How Do You 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. Assess for fracture (see “How to Assess for Fracture”). Immobilize the injury: Any movement is not only very painful but also can worsen the injury. 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. Gather at least two triangular bandages. 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. 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. Cradle the arm into the triangular bandage. Pull the half of the bandage that is farther from the injured person up and over the same side of the neck as the injur
