If the victim is wearing heavy clothes, you may be able to apply the splint on the outside, allowing the clothing to serve as a part of the required padding.

Fasten splints in place with bandages, duct tape, clothing, or any suitable material.

One person should hold the splints in position while another person fastens them.

Splints should be applied tight, but never tight enough to stop the circulation of blood.

• When applying splints to the arms or legs, leave the fingers or toes exposed. If the tips of the fingers or toes turn blue or cold, loosen the splints or bandages.
• Injuries will probably swell, and splints or bandages that were applied correctly may later be too tight.

Fractures

A break or rupture in a bone is called a fracture. There are two basic types; open and closed.

A closed fracture does not produce an open wound in the skin, also known as a simple fracture.

An open fracture produces an open wound in the skin, also known as a compound fracture.

• Open wounds are caused by the sharp end of broken bones pushing through the skin; or by an object such as a flying debris that enters the skin from the outside.
• Open fractures are usually more serious than closed fractures. They involve extensive tissue damage and are likely to become infected.

Closed fractures can be turned into open fractures by rough or careless handling of the victim. Always use extreme care when treating a suspected fracture.