Dislocations are extremely painful and are often caused by a violent muscle contraction. The signs of a dislocation are similar to a closed fracture with the addition of disfigurement around the joint and the affected area may look twisted or shortened.

In all cases, the ligaments (hold moveable joints together) will be damaged.

Under no circumstances should you try to realign the injured limb.

Instead they should be transported to hospital.

SLINGS

Slings can be used to help support

injured limbs and joints especially if transporting the casualty to hospital.

A support sling is used for injuries from the elbow to the shoulder including dislocations.

Whereas an elevated sling helps to protect injuries to the forearm of wrist. This type of sling can also be used if a casualty has fractured their ribs.

The sling should be applied to the same side as the injury and helps to open up the ribcage improving breathing.

During your course you will have be shown how to apply such slings.

If you do not have access to a triangular bandage or the casualty will not let you apply one, you could:

• Use their t-shirt / jumper as a make-shift sling
• Loosen a button on a shirt / blouse and get them to rest their hand on their shoulder
• Use a belt or scarf as an improvised sling or;
• Allow them to support their limb using their uninjured arm.