How to Splint a Leg

Knowing how to properly splint a leg can save a life, even if you are not someone who works in the medical field. Athletes, campers and hikers and anyone who works with children should be able to produce a secure, makeshift split to protect a leg that has been injured until medical help arrives.

Things You'll Need

• Two sturdy sticks or poles, long enough to keep the leg straight
• Towel, shirt or other soft material to cushion the leg
• 3 to 6 ties (or strips of material) to hold the splint in place

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Instructions

• 1

  Have the person with the injured leg lie down or sit in a way that allows the injured leg to stretch straight out in front of him. Move the leg into as straight a position as possible. This can cause the injured person pain, but it is important because broken pieces of bone can cut nerves, muscles and blood vessels.

• 2

  Talk to the person and ascertain where the injury is located. Observe the limb for swelling or bruising. It is important to determine where the break or other injury is located, as this will determine how big the splint needs to be.

• 3

  Locate two sturdy stick-like objects. Ski poles work well; so do strong sticks. For a lower leg injury, use sticks that extend from the lower ankle to the upper knee. For upper or full leg injuries, use sticks as long as the entire leg.

• 4

  Wrap the injured leg in some sort of soft material--a t-shirt, towel or sleeping bag works well. This will protect the skin and provide some cushioning. Move the leg as little as possible while you are wrapping it.

• 5

  Place a stick on each side of the injured leg. Position the sticks approximately halfway between the knee cap and the area under the knee. If he is able, have the injured person hold the sticks in place while you tie them.

• 6

  Tie a lower leg splint in approximately three places--around the ankle, around the mid-calf area and around the area just below the knee. A full leg splint will need three additional ties--around the area above the knee, around the mid-thigh area and around the top of the leg.

• 7

  Tie firmly so that the sticks are held in place, but take care not to cut off circulation to the leg. The purpose of the splint is to protect the leg from further injury until medical help arrives.