First Aid for Splints & Bleeding Wounds : How to Apply a Shoulder Sling

My name is Alv Rios and I am a paramedic with Lansing Mercy Ambulance on behalf of Expert Village. In this clip we are going to go over splinting collar bone injuries and also shoulder injuries. And helping me is going to be my partner Jacob Barber who works with me at Lansing Mercy Ambulance and he will be doing this on behalf of Expert Village. It's pretty hard to differentiate whether or not it's the collar bone that is fractured or the shoulder since they are both going to cause a lot of pain if the patient tries to move their arm. So what you want to do is just assume that it is probably the collarbone since the shoulder it's self is a pretty strong bone. So what you want to do in this situation is use anything, like I have a triangular bandage here. Or you could use something such as a bandanna or you could even cut a piece of cloth as long as you have it in this type of shape right here. What I like to do is take the top corner of my triangle and I like to tie it into a knot. What this is going to do is form a pocket for the actual elbow to rest in. What I then want to do is have the patient put their arm in a position of comfort. Normally when you have a shoulder injury this is the type of position that you are going to find the patient in. What you then want to do is slip this over. You will see how this pocket here for the elbow will kind of just hold itself in place there. Then I am just going to have you turn for a second. Just want to come and you want to tie this in a spot where it's more comfortable for the patient. Right here in the back is nice rather than some people that tie it on the neck. Both will work but it is wherever is just comfortable. If you do tie it in a position where it has to be on the neck consider using some padding for a little more support. Once I have tied this in place this is given a little bit of relief from the shoulder having it have to do less work but there is also going to be pain every time the arm moves. If the arm moves forward the joint is still moving. So we haven't quite immobilized it yet. That is a nice adequate splint that will work if the patient wants to hold it themselves but if you are going to be doing any long transports. What you are going to want to do is actually use another dressing here. Again go to a position of comfort. I am going to turn you first here again. I am going to tie it behind his back. What this will do is help keep the arm against itself and it reduces the motion of letting the arm move forward where the lower arm can still move but the shoulder it's self stays in place. You have now adequately immobilized the shoulder and or clavicle whichever one is effective.