When an injury occurs, act fast:

 

“Follow the RICE process”, says John E Kennett. Listed below as a guide. Do ensure you seek professional advice and assessment.

 

The immediate first aid concern, assuming a life-threatening situation does not exist, is to protect the injured body part. The may mean simply rest; or, splinting/ strapping of a joint to limit movement.

Ice or cold application slows the metabolic rate of the injured tissue and reduces hypoxic tissue damage. An ice pack should be kept on for up to 10 to 15 minutes. Never place ice directly on skin, use a damp cloth to act as a medium between skin and ice pack. Reapply every 2 hours for the first 2 days following injury. If ice not available, use cold water, but this is not as effective as ice.

Compression is used in conjunction with cold to reduce swelling. Compression should be sufficient to limit oedema (fluid build up), but not to compromise blood flow. Circulation is check by observing the colour of the skin either side of the compression. Additionally, a finger or toe nail should be squeezed on the limb which is being compressed; the skin under the nail should turn white when squeezed and normal pink colouration should return within a few seconds, indicating adequate circulation is reaching the extremity.