How to splint a broken finger or dislocated elbow/shoulder?

linda1959 · Oct 12, 2018

Just a thought . . . even with an "official" course like the one's mentioned at REI, I still wonder if certain things like reducing dislocations would be against either State Nursing Practice Act or School Policy because you are not outdoors . . .

I will stick with basic first aid. I will splint to help with immobilization if I can do so without manipulating to help family get student safely to ER. If I am calling 911, I don't do anything.

AdobeRN · Oct 12, 2018

Just a thought . . . even with an "official" course like the one's mentioned at REI, I still wonder if certain things like reducing dislocations would be against either State Nursing Practice Act or School Policy because you are not outdoors . . .
I will stick with basic first aid. I will splint to help with immobilization if I can do so without manipulating to help family get student safely to ER. If I am calling 911, I don't do anything.

I'm taking the course for my own personal info since we do frequent backpacking trips where sometimes we are without cell service and some miles away from the trailhead. If something happens at school, I will keep doing what I normally would do - immobilize, contact parent and/or EMS.

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Oct 16, 2018

Don't forget your best splinting friend the pillow. Seriously love them for feet that have become absolutely rearranged. Or even if I suspect a bad sprain. A pillow and some two inch tape can solve any foot issue more comfortably then a ridged splint in my experience.

Any good WFR class will explain which skills are "back country" and which are "street". If your a three day carry out you don't have a lot of options but to reduce fracture and dislocations. In a setting with EMS access or a MD then just use the first aid component. I enjoyed the course but I don't think I'll ever need to fashion a traction splint out of a tin cup and tent pole

At the one camp I worked at we had a heck of a time keeping the WFRs from going crazy. They wanted to walk around with viles of Epi and you had to shew them away from nasty fractures and dislocations, we have a doctor...put the arm down. That said when our MD couldn't relocate a shoulder me first call was to the WFR Instructor. (He never looked happier.)