First Aid Treatment for Dislocations
Important Information
Dislocations occur when a great deal of pressure is placed on a joint
The patient's joint appears deformed and the injury is usually very painful
Only splint an injury if EMS care or transport to a medical facility is delayed and if you can do so without causing further pain and discomfort to the patient
All dislocations need professional medical attention
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STOP - Assess and observe the scene;
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THINK - Consider your safety and form action plan
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ACT - Check responsiveness and Alert EMS
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For a patient involved in a major fall, collision or blow, conduct an injury assessment to determine the extent of all injuries besides an obvious dislocation or fracture
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If EMS is delayed or unavailable, prepare the patient for transport
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For a dislocation, apply a cold compress to the area to reduce the swelling during transportation