How to Fold an Arm Sling

Whether you've had an injury or you just got out of surgery, chances are you might need a sling. If this is the case, your doctor will most likely put one on you at the hospital. Unfortunately, you can't use the same sling forever. Over time, it will lose support, and more than that, it's unsanitary. So if you need a sling for an extended period of time, you might have to know how to make your own.

Things You'll Need

• Large triangular bandage
• Safety pin

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Instructions

• 1

  Tell the person with the injured hand or arm to support the forearm by holding it horizontal while slightly raising their injured wrist and hand.

• 2

  Slide the triangular bandage in between the body and the injured arm. Place one corner of the triangle up above their uninjured shoulder, and make sure the long side of the triangle is hanging down the length of the uninjured side of the body. Place the second corner behind their elbow, while leaving the final corner hanging straight down. It should somewhat resemble the top half of a toga when it's finished.

• 3

  Grab the corner of fabric that's hanging down their front side, and lift it straight up, and then around the back of their neck. Make sure they're still supporting their injured arm. After wrapping the third corner of fabric around the back of their neck, tie it to the first corner in a reef knot. You can learn how to do this at animatedknots.com.

• 4

  Tell the injured person that they can quit supporting their arm once the reef knot has been securely tied. Tuck in all the loose ends around the hand. Take the final corner (the second corner) that's by the injured elbow and tightly fold it up, pinning it into the fabric above the elbow with a safety pin. If properly done, the sling should reach to the pinky finger at the bottom.