How To Make An Elevation Sling
Here we will show you how to make an Elevation Sling which is used to support the forearm and hand when injured.
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Step 1:
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You will need
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Step 2:
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Stand in front of the person
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Stand in front of the person on their injured side.
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Step 3:
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Support the arm
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Ask the person to support their injured arm by placing it across the chest with their fingertips touching the opposite shoulder.
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Step 4:
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Place bandage over injured arm
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Now place the triangular bandage over the injured arm with the longest straight edge lying over the uninjured shoulder and the point extending beyond the elbow on the injured side.
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Step 5:
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Release supporting arm
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Ask the injured person to let go of the injured arm so that you can ease the base of the bandage under the hand, forearm and elbow of the injured arm.
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Step 6:
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Take lower end of bandage up
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Now take the lower end of the bandage up and around the back to meet the other end at the shoulder on the uninjured side.
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Step 7:
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Tie a reef knot
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Tie the ends together using a reef knot on the injured side. The knot should sit in the hollow just above the collar bone. You can tuck the free ends of the bandage under the knot to pad it. Watch VideoJug film ‘How To Tie And Untie A Reef Knot’.
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Step 8:
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Tuck loose ends and secure
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Now fold the pointed end of the bandage forward and around the elbow. Tuck in any excess fabric and secure with a safety pin on the front of the sling. Make sure the pin point is facing downwards in case it comes undone.
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Step 9:
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Check circulation
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Once you have finished, check the circulation of the injured limb by pressing on one of the nails or skin of the hand until it becomes pale. Then release, and if the colour does not come back within 2 to 3 seconds, then circulation is likely to be impaired.
Take it of, loosen any other bandaging under the sling and try straightening the arm if possible. If circulation doesn’t improve immediately seek medical advice ASAP.
