Grade 6 Physical And Health Education Sport Related Injuries – SLings And Splints Notes
Physical & Health Education — Sport Related Injuries
Subtopic: Slings and Splints (Age 11, Kenya)
When someone gets hurt while playing sports it is important to keep them calm and still. Slings and splints help protect and support injured arms or legs until a nurse, doctor or parent arrives.
What are slings and splints?
- Sling: a cloth support that holds an injured arm or shoulder close to the body.
- Splint: a hard, straight support (like a stick, rolled newspaper or cardboard) tied to an injured limb to stop it moving.
When to use them
- Strong pain in an arm or leg after a fall or hit.
- The limb looks bent, twisted or has a bone sticking out (do not push it back in).
- Cannot move or put weight on the injured limb.
Important rules
- Tell a teacher or adult right away. In Kenya call for help if serious: 999 or 112 for emergency services.
- Do not try to straighten a badly bent limb or push out a bone that is showing.
- Check for feeling, warmth and colour of fingers or toes after you tie a sling or splint — they should stay warm and pink. If they turn cold, pale or feel numb, loosen the bandages and get help.
Easy sling: using a triangular bandage or scarf
- Fold a triangular bandage or use a long scarf into a triangle (point to one side).
- Place the point of the triangle behind the injured elbow so the triangle supports under the arm.
- Bring the two long ends up around the neck and tie them gently on the uninjured side.
- Support the wrist with a pad or cloth so the hand is slightly higher than the elbow.
- Check that the hand is warm and fingers move a little. Ask if it is too tight or hurts — loosen if needed and get help.
Simple splint for arm or leg (use what is available)
- Find something straight and strong: a stick, rolled newspaper, thin board or cardboard.
- Pad the splint with cloth or clothes so it is comfortable.
- Place the splint along the injured limb, covering the joint above and below the injury.
- Tie with cloth strips above and below the splint — not over the injured spot.
- Keep the limb still and put a sling if it is an arm.
Check these after applying sling or splint
- Can the person feel their fingers or toes? (Ask them.)
- Are fingers or toes warm and pink? If cold, pale or blue — loosen bandage and get help.
- Keep the injured person warm, calm and still.
What not to do
- Do not try to push a bone back in or straighten a deformed limb.
- Do not give a seriously hurt person food or drink if they may need an operation.
- Do not remove a splint or sling if it was put on by a trained health worker — unless it is causing danger.
Aftercare and where to go
- Tell a parent or guardian and go to the nearest clinic, hospital or dispensary — school nurse or teacher should help.
- In Kenya, ask an adult to call 999 or 112 if the injury is serious (heavy bleeding, bone sticking out, very weak breathing).
- Follow the nurse or doctor's advice — they may send you for an X-ray or a cast.
Quick tip: practice making a sling with a scarf during first-aid lessons so you know what to do if a friend gets hurt.
Teacher/Parent note: Use role-play and supervised practice to teach slings and splints. Emphasise safety and when to seek professional medical help.