Fractures and Dislocations

Fractures and dislocations have a variety of causes, from doing backflips off the netball grandstand to simple falls in the elderly, car, bike or scooter accidents and workplace incidents. A person with a fracture or dislocation can present as having difficulty moving the area, tenderness, swelling and bruising and often extreme pain.

WHAT TO DO:

Check for any danger to yourself, or the casualty, if the scene is dangerous, send for help immediately. Control any bleeding and cover any wounds. Check for any obvious signs of fracture, crooked or bulging bones, in extreme cases you may see a fracture where the bone has pierced the skin, if so, call an ambulance straight away. Try and keep the patient as still as possible until the fracture site has been immobilised, use bandages, cloth, pillows, cardboard, or porpay branch to make a splint. Your goal is to keep the facture area as still as possible until further medical assistance is rendered. For leg fractures, immobilise the foot and ankle, where possible splint to opposing foot and ankle. Be sure to check the bandages are not too tight, check for discolouration in hands and feet due to poor blood flow.

Seek Medical Assistance When:

If you suspect a fracture or dislocation, seek medical care immediately.

When you are unsure, St. John Ambulance and NIHRACS are here to help

If the patient becomes unconscious or is in severe pain, call triple zero (000) for the Norfolk Island St John Ambulance immediately.

For the full copy of the fact sheet, visit www.stjohnnsw.com.au/first-aid-facts/

Our next skill drill will be held 13 February at the St John Shed on Grassy Road it is on the left-hand side of the road going into NIHRACS.

We start at 18:30, finish by 20:00. We are always looking for new members.

If you are interested in becoming a St John volunteer or, for more information, please email norfolkisland.division@stjohnnsw.com.au or james.garden@stjohnnsw.com.au