Emergency advice

Elevation sling:

  1. Support injured arm across chest, lay bandage over.
  2. Bring lower end under arm, across back and tie ends.
  3. Check circulation.

What is an elevation sling?

This type of sling supports the forearm and hand in a raised position, with the fingertips touching the casualty’s shoulder. This sling can help to control bleeding and minimise swelling in the forearm or hand.

What to do

  1. Elevation sling - ask the casualty  to support the

    Ask the casualty to support their injured arm, across the chest, with their fingers resting on the opposite shoulder.

  2. Elevation sling - lay the triangular bandage over the chest, on top of injured arm, with one end over uninjured shoulder

    Lay the triangular bandage over their chest, on top of the injured arm, with one end over their uninjured shoulder. Hold the point of the bandage just below the elbow on the injured side.

  3. Elevation sling - tuck lower part underneath injured arm and bring diagonally across back to meet at shoulder

    Tuck the lower part of the bandage underneath the injured arm. Bring it diagonally across their back to meet the other end of the bandage at their shoulder.

  4. Elevation sling - tie two ends together in reef knot above collar bone

    Tie the two ends of the bandage together in a reef knot above their collar bone and tuck in the free ends.

  5. Elevation sling - twist and tuck in bandage by elbow

    Make sure that the edge of the bandage by the elbow is secured by twisting the fabric and tucking it in, or using a safety pin to fasten.

  6. Elevation sling - check circulation in their thumb

    Check the circulation in their thumb every 10 minutes. If it’s too tight, then loosen the sling and readjust.

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