How to immobilize an arm injured during a hiking trip

Use a sling to immobilize an arm. Photo courtesy of mtsofan / Photoree.

Sometimes when hiking, an injury occurs in which you must immobilize an arm. This might be due to a sprain, a cut or a fracture from a fall or an object (such a rock in a mini avalanche or a tree limb that’s just broke off) hitting it. While such accidents are rare, knowing how to handle them in case they do occur will be extremely helpful in preventing further injury and providing for the person’s comfort, especially if the injured party is a child.

To immobilize an arm, you’ll need to make a sling. This is where carrying a large bandanna or an extra shirt can be helpful. You’ll need a piece of cloth that is about a yard square; a smaller piece will do for small children.

Lay out the cloth flat then fold it in half diagonally so that you have a triangle. Next, slide the injured arm into about the middle of the diagonal cloth. Bring one end of the cloth up around the neck and the other end of the cloth up around the other side of the neck. Tie the ends of the cloth together behind the neck.

The injured arm should be in front of the abdomen, parallel to the ground. Wrap a belt around the body, just above the parallel arm. Cinch the belt tight but ensure that there’s still circulation. If you don’t have a belt, a rope or a pants leg also will work.

Seek medical help immediately.

How to bandage a child’s wound during a day hiking accident

When children suffer cuts and scrapes during an day hiking accident, the wound will need to be bandaged. This could be as simple as simply applying a lone adhesive bandage. For deep or long cuts, however, that a single adhesive bandage won’t cover, more is required.

Before bandaging any wound, ensure that it the bleeding has stopped and that the wound has been disinfected.

Begin the bandaging by lining up the cut’s edges. Then, from the wound’s center, apply adhesive bandages so that they cross-cross one another. Do this for the length of the cut. Always try to push up the edges of the cut against one another.

Next, cover this pattern of adhesive bandages with a sterile wrap. This helps ensure the adhesive bandages remain over the wound.

Whatever you do, don’t try to stitch the wound with a needle and thread unless you are a medical professional and have the proper tools. Stitching in the wilds almost always results in a poorly healing cut and greatly raises the risk of infection.

In dire emergencies, some people have used superglue to hold wounds together, but there should be no need for the drastic solution. Adhesive bandages and sterile wrap ought to be part of your first-aid kit.

Skin needs about 72 hours to close up beneath a bandage. During this time and for a few days after, check the cut to ensure that bleeding does not begin again or that an infection has not set in. If either occurs, immediately seek medical attention.

Find out about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

How to treat bleeding children on a hike

Bleeding usually looks worse than it is, but if it isn’t stopped, serious problems can arise. In just two minutes, adults can lose enough blood to die, and the time is even shorter for children. To avoid, following the same safety precautions as for falls and cuts.

To stop bleeding, place the edges of torn skin together while applying direct pressure on the wound. Within a few minutes, usually the blood will clot. Presuming there are no broken bones, lay the person down and raise the affected limb above the heart to limit blood flow to it. Place a sterile gauze pad over the wound and hold it in place by wrapping bandages around the limb.

Check to make sure the dressing isn’t so tight that it restricts blood flow to the rest of the body; if it does, reapply the dressing. Do not use a tourniquet. Once the bleeding has stopped, remove the gauze bandage and dress the wound in clean bandages. Limit movement of the wounded areas as much as possible and treat for shock.

Scalp wounds can be pesky and usually look worse than they are. Stopping the bleeding will be difficult, but the good news is that very little blood loss usually occurs from such a gash. The child probably will need immediate medical attention to stop the bleeding, however.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

Treating children's cuts, wounds on hike

Image courtesy of africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Avoid cuts and wounds by following the same principles of safety to avoid falls. In addition, don’t go off trail through vegetation or climbing on rocks.

To treat a cut or wound, with an antiseptic clean the opening of sand, dirt, gravel and other debris. A cotton swab works well. To irrigate deeper cuts or wounds, a disposable syringe can be used. After drying it, apply an antibiotic ointment and then an adhesive bandage. If a wound, don’t use an adhesive bandage but cover it in gauze dressing and get medical attention immediately.

Never apply insect repellent to cuts or wounds (or to irritated skin, for that matter).

Related articles:
g How to prevent and treat hypothermia in children
g Avoiding and treating child dehydration on the trail
g How to avoid and treat nosebleeds
g How to avoid and treat hiking kids' muscle cramps

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.