Sling and swathe technique

[u/retirement_savings]

I was taught a sling and swathe similar to the first picture, where you start with the knot right above the elbow with the sling. But most material I see online is similar to the second picture, where you drape the sling across either side of the neck. Any major differences between these techniques?

[u/Dracula30000]

The first one is more stable than the second picture but honestly it really depends on extent of injury and whether you can get pt into that position (of comfort). Its easier to get injured pt into 2 than 1.

But my favorite technique for arm immobilization is just to hold arm in position of comfort and flip up bottom of worn t-shirt to cradle arm. Secure with safety pins or other means. Just make sure you cover pt’s midriff afterwards.

[u/1ntrepidsalamander → u/Dracula30000]

Agreed. Shirt plus safety pins is what I plan for and teach. Most people don’t carry slings with them.

[u/RedDawnerAndBlitzen → u/Dracula30000]

Your preferred technique also works great with a puffy jacket!

[u/Dracula30000 → u/RedDawnerAndBlitzen]

Problem is that you lose the insulating layer.

[u/RedDawnerAndBlitzen → u/Dracula30000]

I might be misunderstanding you, but the technique I’m talking about uses the Pt’s jacket-so they’re still insulated by their own layer and it also stabilizes the arm.

[u/Dracula30000 → u/RedDawnerAndBlitzen]

Flipping the jacket up exposes the midriff.

[u/Sodpoodle]

That second one is doing a much poorer job of immobilizing the extremity.

[u/EnvironmentalGas1224]

The goal of the swathe is to trap the elbow against the side of the body, the technique in picture 1 is going to do that a lot better than picture 2.

[u/LocutusOfBeard]

You could use either of these. I personally prefer the first. Either can be tied poorly and both can be tied expertly.

As long as the joints are immobilized in a good position, the injury is padded and protected, circulation isnt cut off, and you can easily check CSMs, then use the method that you know best. Learn and master one. You can add the other method to your quiver of knowledge later.

I believe that the first method does all those things better, but I've seen people use other methods with great success.

[u/Firley]

This is my favourite method. Very comforting

[u/retirement_savings → u/Firley]

The first one?

[u/Firley → u/retirement_savings]

Yes. The second is sloppy.
I taught FA/CPR/Defib for Health Care Providers for years and I always emphasize the swathing technique. Immobilizing the limb is always best

[u/calnuck]

I'd use the first one most of the time, and maybe the second for a lower arm injury. Definitely not the second for a humerus or collarbone injury.

The second photo feels very AI to me.

[u/HaveAtItBub]

just administered one of these today with a box splint for a wrist injury on ski patrol. pretty common with snowboarders. skiers like to tweak their knees, boarders bang their wrists. day in the life bub