How to Splint a Broken Arm With Cardboard

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.

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 cardboard 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 fit the broken arm.

Fold the splint to wrap around the arm.

Bend the splint up 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 the arm splint.

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

Pad the splint with a towel or other padding.

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

Position the broken arm into the padded splint.

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

Placing a roller gauze in the hand will maintain the position of function.

Put something in the victim's hand to maintain the position of function. The position of function is achieved when the fingers are slightly curled.​

Fill voids around the broken arm with additional padding.

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

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.

Once the splint is attached, the broken arm should be securely immobilized.

When the broken arm is secured in the splint, the arm should not be able to move.

After the arm is splinted, reassess the 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.

Use ice or a chemical cold pack to reduce swelling.

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.