How to Splint a Broken Arm With Cardboard

Items You'll Need

To adequately splint a broken arm, you will need a cardboard splint, towels for padding, bandage scissors, roller gauze, and tape. Other items can be used to immobilize the broken arm. Anything that secures the broken arm and immobilizes it will work.

Assess the Break

Determine the location of the broken bone and assess the arm to make sure victim can still move fingers, feel touch, and has circulation to his or her hand.

Assess the broken arm by feeling the area of the broken bone. Deformity, crepitus (a grinding feeling under the skin), or discoloration may be present in the area of the fracture. In most cases, the victim will just feel pain and tenderness near the injury.

Assess the victim's circulation, sensation, and motion in the hand.

• Ask the victim to identify which finger is being touched.
• Ask the victim to move fingers.
• Feel the victim's fingers to see if they are as warm as the hand on the unbroken arm.

Cut the Splint to the Correct Size

If the cardboard is too long, cut it to size. In this case, cuts are made to help shape the splint.

Shape the Splint to the Arm

Shape the splint to fit the broken arm by folding the splint to wrap around the arm.

Bend the Splint to Fit Around the Elbow

After the splint is cut, bend the splint up to fit around the elbow.

Fold the Remaining Flaps to Finish

Finish the splint by folding the remaining flaps around and tape them in place.

Pad the Splint

Pad the splint with towels or other padding before placing it on the broken arm.

Position the Arm in the Splint

Correctly position the broken arm into the padded splint. Make sure fit is snug, but not tight.

Maintain Position of Function

Put something in the victim's hand (like a roll of gauze) to maintain the position of function. The position of function is achieved when the fingers are slightly curled.​

Fill the Voids

Fill all voids (spaces) between the broken arm and the splint with additional padding. The rule: avoid the voids.

Secure the Splint Around the Arm

Secure the splint around the broken arm with tape or roller gauze.

Wrap the splint snugly around the broken arm. The splint should support the broken arm on all sides and immobilize the arm above and below the broken bone. In this example, the broken arm is immobilized from the elbow to the wrist.

Check Arm for Movement

Once the splint is attached, the broken arm should be securely immobilized and should not be able to move.

Reassess Functionality

After the broken arm is secured in the splint, reassess the hand to determine if function and circulation are still intact. Recheck circulation, sensation, and motion.

Reduce Swelling With Ice

Place ice or a cold pack on the injury to reduce swelling. For chemical cold packs, follow the manufacturer's directions. Never place ice directly on skin.