HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Broken bones first aid
Kōiwi tāwhatiwhati whakarauora
Important
Call 111 immediately and ask for an ambulance if:
- you suspect someone has a broken neck or back or an injury to their head. Unless they're in danger, do not move them. Try to keep their head, neck and spine from moving
- the person is unconscious
- the person is bleeding heavily
- a bone has pierced the person's skin.
How to tell if someone has broken a bone
If someone has broken a bone, they will have one or more of the following symptoms:
- a snap sound heard at the time of the injury
- pain
- difficulty moving the affected limb or area – they may not be able to move it at all
- swelling
- bruising
- a visible bone that has broken through the skin
- pins and needles
- a grating noise or feeling when they move
- a shorter or misshaped limb.
Helping someone who has a broken bone
- Check that they aren't losing any blood. If they have an open wound, control the bleeding by applying direct pressure. If the bone is exposed, apply the pressure around the bone, not on top of it.
- If the wound is open, cover it with a sterile dressing, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.
- Try to make the person comfortable.
- If they have a broken limb, make sure they keep it still.
- Support the injured limb or area with a pillow or folded clothing. The person may be able to support the limb themselves.
- Apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) if available. Do not apply ice directly to their skin but wrap it in a damp cloth.
- Do not give the person anything to eat or drink as they may need to have surgery.
- Get medical help. If the person doesn't need an ambulance, drive them to your nearest after-hours service or hospital Emergency Department.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed December 2022.
Sources
Review key: HIFAD-141030
