Slings are used primarily for fractures and dislocations of the arm and shoulder. They help stabilize an injury to reduce pain and prevent continuing damage until a medical professional is able to administer treatment. You can use nearly any piece of cloth or rope as a sling, but a blanket, pillowcase or large scrap of fabric works best. Making an arm sling for a child with an injured arm is not a replacement for medical care.
Step 1
Care for any wounds or other injuries before immobilizing the child's arm. Call for emergency medical services if bleeding is severe or if you notice bone protruding from the injury.
Step 2
Cut a triangle from a piece of cloth that is 4 to 5 ft. wide and about 3 ft. long. Toddlers and younger children may need less cloth. Fold the cloth into a triangle if scissors are not available.
Step 3
Place one corner point of the triangle up near the shoulder of the uninjured arm, and allow the rest of the triangle to hang down over the chest.
Step 4
Center the child's injured arm inside the triangle, over the chest. The child's elbow should be located below the shoulder and centered near a second point of the triangle. The third point of the triangle should be hanging down near the leg on the uninjured side of the body.
Step 5
Lift the dangling triangle point up to meet the triangle point near the unaffected shoulder. Tie these two points together so that the injured elbow is bent at 90 degrees. Tie the sling on the side of the neck to prevent spinal injury caused by pressure on the back of the neck.
Step 6
Immobilize the child's arm, if necessary, by using a second piece of cloth to tie the sling to the child's chest. Tie the second piece of cloth on the unaffected side of the child's body. Moving a fractured arm can damage nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Step 7
Check the child's pulse and skin color for signs of impaired circulation. If the child's skin appears pale or blue, if the pulse in his arm is weak, if his skin feels cool or if he develops tingling or numbness, loosen any bandages and adjust the sling so that there is less pressure on the affected arm.
Things You'll Need
- Large piece of cloth
- Scissors
