Question

You are walking to class when someone in front of you misses a step. They fall to the sidewalk and cannot put weight on their left leg. Their ankle is starting to swell and the victim is in a lot of pain. How would you respond?

Answer 1

Your Aims : To reduce swelling and pain.

To obtain medical help if necessary

1) Help the casualty to sit or lie down. Support the injured part in a comfortable position, preferably raised.

2) Cool the area by applying a cold compress, such as an icepack or cold pad , to the injury. This helps to reduce swelling , bruising and pain.

3) Apply comfortable support to the injured part. Leave the cold compress in place or wrap a layer of soft padding , such as cotton wool, around the area. Secure it with a support bandage that extends to the next joint ; for an ankle injury, the bandage should extend from the base of the toes to the knees.

4) Support the injured part in a raised position to help minimise bruising and swelling in the area. Check the circulation beyond the bandages every ten minutes. If the circulation is impaired , undo the bandage and reapply more loosely.

5) If the pain is severe , or the casualty is unable to use the injured part, arrange to take or send him to hospital. Otherwise , advise the casualty to rest the injury and to seek medical advice if necessary.

Strains and sprains should be treated initially by the "RICE " procedure:

R - REST the injured part

I - Apply ICE pack or a cold pad

C - Provide COMFORTABLE support

E - ELEVATE the injured part

This procedure may be sufficient to relieve the symptoms , but if you are in any doubt as to the severity of the injury, treat it as a fracture.