a. Splints. Splints may be improvised from such
items as boards, poles, sticks, tree limbs, rolled
magazines, rolled newspapers, or cardboard. If nothing is
available for a splint, the chest wall can be used to
immobilize a fractured arm and the uninjured leg can be used
to immobilize (to some extent) the fractured leg.
b. Padding. Padding may be improvised from such
items as a jacket, blanket, poncho, shelter half, or leafy
vegetation.
c. Bandages. Bandages may be improvised from
belts, rifle slings, bandoliers, kerchiefs, or strips torn
from clothing or blankets. Narrow materials such as wire or
cord should not be used to secure a splint in place.
d. Slings. A sling is a bandage (or improvised
material such as a piece of cloth, a belt and so forth)
suspended from the neck to support an upper extremity. Also,
slings may be improvised by using the tail of a coat or
shirt, and pieces torn from such items as clothing and
blankets. The triangular bandage is ideal for this purpose.
Remember that the casualty's hand should be higher than his
elbow, and the sling should be applied so that the
supporting pressure is on the uninjured side.
e. Swathes. Swathes are any bands (pieces of
cloth, pistol belts, and so forth) that are used to further
immobilize a splinted fracture. Triangular and cravat
bandages are often used as or referred to as swathe
bandages. The purpose of the swathe is to immobilize,
therefore, the swathe bandage is placed above and/or below
the fracture--not over it.
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