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A broken bone is a very serious injury. The following information is provided by the Mayo Clinic on how to treat broken bones while waiting for EMS or EMERG to arrive on the scene of the injury.
If a bone is broken as a result of a major trauma or injury, activate 911/EMS, UPD, or EMERG. Call for emergency help if the following applies:
- The person is unresponsive, or is not breathing or moving
- There is heavy bleeding
- Even gentle pressure of movement causes pain
- The limb or joint appears deformed
- The bone has pierced the skin
- The nearest extremity of the injured arm or leg, like a toe or finger, is numb or bluish at the tip
- You suspect a broken neck, head, or back, hip, pelvis, or upper leg
While Waiting for EMS, complete these tasks:
- Stop any bleeding with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth, or a piece of clothing
- Immobilize the injured area, but do NOT try to realign the bone. If you are trained to splint bones, apply a splint to the area
- Apply ice packs (wrapped in a cloth) to limit the swelling and help relieve the pain
- Treat for shock by keep the individual's head lower than their heart, and if possible elevate the legs
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