Broken bone
Learn how to help someone who has broken a bone
With regard to the current coronavirus crisis, guidance can be found in our Guidance and Support section. Please always consider your own personal safety first when delivering first aid.
Learning objectives
- Learn first aid skills
- Feel confident to help someone who needs first aid
- Feel able to help someone in need of first aid
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Rose and her friends are leaving work when Lara falls down the stairs and hurts her arm. Rose thinks fast and takes action to help.
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Lara, Paul and I work together at the cinema. When our shift finished we were in a hurry to leave - we had a party to get to. To save time we left by a back entrance closest to the car park. As we rushed down the metal stairs, Lara slipped and tumbled forward.
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I heard a cracking noise as she landed on her arm. It sounded horrible, and Lara was clearly in a lot of pain.
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Paul and I rushed down to where Lara had fallen to see if she was okay. She said straight away that she had broken her arm – it was really painful and bent slightly out of shape.
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Paul thought we should get Lara down to the car park but I made Lara sit where she was. I could see Paul was a bit shaken up. I asked him to call 999 on his mobile while I helped Lara.
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As Paul spoke to the emergency services I took off my scarf and used it as padding for Lara’s arm. I also encouraged her to support her injured arm with her other hand.
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I let Lara know that the ambulance was on its way and we stayed with her until help arrived. It made me feel better knowing they were on the way. Getting to the party didn’t matter anymore.
nextIf a person has a broken bone, the limb may look misshapen and will be painful. What else might indicate a broken bone?
If you think someone has broken a bone, what should you do to help?
Take action: If someone has a broken bone, keep the injury still and supported.
Start OverClick here for the film transcript
What to do if someone has broken a bone
Step 1.
The person has pain, bruising or swelling or they are lying in an unnatural position, following a fall or a blow from an object.
Step 2.
Support the injury with their hand, or use a cushion or items of clothing to prevent unnecessary movement.
Step 3.
As soon as possible, call 999 or get someone else to do it. Continue supporting the injury until help arrives.
Learn
These activities help young people learn what to do when someone has broken a bone.
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Broken bone – learn activity
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Broken bone – learner skill guide
Practise
These activities help young people practise how to help someone who has broken a bone
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First aid skill - practise activity ideas
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Broken bone - practise role play
Practise all first aid skills
These activities help young people to practise more than one first aid skill.
Or go to:
Burns
Learn how to help someone who has a burn
Helping others
Learn about the bystander effect, what inspires people to help and the qualities of people who act.
Safety and wellbeing
Learn and practise how to keep safe, use coping skills and look after your wellbeing when helping others.
Share and remember
Share what you’ve learned with others and remember your learning
Secondary guidance and support
This section includes curriculum links, a teacher and educator guide and everything you need to get started.
