How to make a leg splint during a hiking accident

Make a leg splint the same way that you would make one for a broken
finger. Photo courtesy of van Hilten / Photoree.

Should a leg be injured during a hike, you may need to immobilize it with a splint, especially if a bone has been broken or fractured or a muscle sprained. Immobilizing the leg can help prevent further injury as well as reduce pain, which is vital if the injured party is a child.

A splint is the leg’s equivalent of a sling for an arm. This is where having a small tarp, gauze pads, and full bandage roll in your backpack can prove helpful.

Before placing a leg in a splint, make sure all bleeding has stopped. That typically can be done by applying direct pressure if a gauze pad over any cuts.

If a broken bone, next determine if circulation has been cut off beneath the break. Pale skin below the break suggests there is limited circulation. If this is the case, you will have to set the bone. We’ll save how to do that for another entry and presume the circulation is fine.

Gently slide your tarp (Stronger material, such as cardboard, works better, but we’re improvising, based on what materials you might carry during a hike.) beneath the injured leg. Place gauze pads between the leg and the tarp.

Fold the tarp about the leg, ensuring it is tight enough to prevent the leg from moving (otherwise the bone may shift) yet not so tight that circulation is cut off. Secure the tarp by use the roll of bandages, which can be tied to hold the splint in place.

Seek medical attention immediately.

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

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.