✚ First Aid Preventing Strains and Sprains
• Warm up for any physical
activity, whether it’s work
or play.
• Get in shape and wear
For Strains & Sprains proper equipment for
your activity.
• Slow down and stretch when
your activity is finished.
• Use proper lifting
Sprain: a torn or badly stretched ligament, usually in a joint techniques.
Strain: a torn or badly stretched muscle or tendon
The Symptoms Are the Same:
• pain
• swelling
• difficulty moving the joint
• black and blue areas
First Aid... Elevate the injured part.
• Stop using the injured part immediately.
• Raise the injured part above the level of the heart,
resting it on blankets.
• Firmly (but not tightly) wrap a strain in an elastic
bandage.
• Apply ice wrapped in a towel or bag for periods
of 30 minutes, with 15-minute breaks in between.
• After 48 hours, moist heat and gentle stretching
are OK. Wrap a strain in an elastic bandage.
If there is a chance of a broken bone, don’t move
the joint. Apply a splint if possible.
Get Medical Help If...
• there is a chance that a bone is broken.
• a sprain is moderate or severe.
• pain is very strong or lasts more than 24 hours.
• swelling doesn’t go down after 24 hours. Apply ice for periods of 30 minutes.
FIRE SAFETY & EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Distributed under license. © Parlay International (v.3) 1630.037
Only Licensees may copy or distribute this page, electronically or otherwise. For license information call 800-457-2752 or visit www.parlay.com
