Emergency Medical Care : How to Treat an Open Fracture During First Aid

When dealing with an open fracture, the first consideration is to control the bleeding, after which the site can be wrapped without cutting off circulation. Discover how to make a splint to make the patient more comfortable with help from an emergency medical technician in this free video on treating open fractures.
Expert: Rebecca Boutin
Bio: Rebecca Boutin has worked for the city of Westfield, Mass. as an emergency medical technician, paramedic and firefighter since 1999.
Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

[@albertseidenstucker3469]

all of you that said you shouldn't apply pressure to the open fracture are wrong.. you should.. bleeding is the priority

[@HeBreaksLate]

@m11nus Applying pressure to an open fracture will cause more damage, but you have to remember life over limb. If the patient is losing enough blood, you're primary concern is to stop the bleeding to prevent shock. That's a tough judgment call (one I hope to never have to make). BTW, I am speaking from being certified as an OEC Technician and your local protocol may be different and takes precident.

[@yonissalad1516]

Thank u for appling pressure to the fracture

[@iTheShirt]

@GaryNjl
I believe you to be correct. I, with what I have learned, would treat it the same as an knife stabbing or any other penetration where the object is still penetrating the skin. Stop the bleeding the best you can. Immobilize the object and bandage "around" it, making sure it does not move. Transport as is. (I am still in Training, but this is what I remember off the top of my head.)

[@movieexpert18]

Alright for those who are debating this Id imagine the course of action would be wound packing. Use gauze to pack the bleed in the fracture and then apply more gauze around the wound then splint

[@buddytheweim]

To those saying not to apply pressure, different protocols for different places. EMERGENT care applies before a higher echelon of care can be rendered.

[@Eman-wj8gq]

If the bone is sticking out do you apply the wrap over the bone or under the bone or both?

[@dogsoldier6868]

control bleeding first , treat life threating injury

[@sivart88jessi]

Why would you put direct pressure on an open leg fracture

[@millicentallexasmith4264]

Very Imformative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@shiowmun6663]

erh i dont think so you should apply pressure to the fracture yeah ...

[@Zaidzman]

I think I'll have to agree with you. A better option would be to allow the bleeding, and if it is significant, to apply a tourniquet

[@StratosFear1992]

The bleeding is more dangerous than the fracture. Pressure on the fracture will cause pain but not staunching the hemorrhage will simply let the patient bleed to death

[@EthanBermudez]

We used to sell black nitrile gloves at O Reilly Auto. They won't be medical grade if that's what you're looking for

[@mdainul580]

can i help me pleace

[@stardustlover8446]

What if they are screaming there lungs out cause it hurts too bad?
Could they pass out?

[@mr.peanutbutter6969]

You have to let the person know that it's going to be painful. Don't lie to them but don't freak them out. They will most likely go into shock but you have to control the bleeding.
Same thing with wound stuffing, you have to let them know what's going on.

[@stardustlover8446]

@@mr.peanutbutter6969 ight

[@jonjeny]

you are correct, but in the Irish Red Cross we conduct CSM's before dressing, we use 2 pre rolled sterile bandages on each side of the protruding bone in stead of the ring tri bandage that we used to use, then bandage over the pre rolled bandages, once CMS's are conducted for the 2nd time and are good, we then splint the leg and transport, if we were as rough as her with splinting, we'd be killed!

[@utube2938]

we would also splint both legs together, to avoid movement and unnecessary pain for the patient.her routine of putting the ties are very rough. ideally they should be placed under the natural hollow of the legs first and then tie. there is far 2 much movement of the leg going on. but the U.S always seem to differ to European standards in this line of work

[@ykbrandz9602]

Parts of the video are correct but you should never apply pressure to an open fracture.

[@leviathan5527]

Then they bleed out. Life over limb.

[@mdainul580]

my leg fractur in medicin

[@neekogabrielle395]

Ppl should keep the leg still with minimal movements so that the fractured bone will not worsen. Also applying pressure to the fractured part is not recommended, just stop the bleeding without applying too much pressure on the area

[@bernardosax]

that's still applying pressure though...

[@adenclark7322]

err wrong don't apply pressure you applied the bandage wrong your are suppose to start from the ankle and up so blood doesn't rush to the foot and get stuck in there you want it to be on the other end where it can circulate.

[@Philip02K]

Direct preasure is for bleeding only. The person is going to be in severe pain.

[@bernardosax]

open fractures break the skin which can cause bleeding. So do you just let them bleed out?

[@starbird14]

I want black gloves, where do you find those O_O

[@guillermoneves858]

It's been some time... but "Vinyl gloves" go and get them and fullfill yor life

[@jintarokensei3308]

20 seconds in, and it doesn't sound right.

[@drshamsulakbar3368]

wrong approach mam u should position that pt in lying to get enough cardiac return ur pt is not in easy position talk to him about ur procedure .fracture foot should not be dealt like that.

[@Dermbet]

Good video, but people don't carry splints, so it's not realistic

[@stardustlover8446]

I probably have hella strong sticks

[@arnolda.lampel6087]

A lot of yanking and moving for an OPEN Fx.
If I was her patient I would make her notice...

[@zuludelta100]

WRONG