First Aid
Falls and fractures: first aid
What to do after a fall or a suspected broken bone, and when not to move someone.
Call 108Ambulance
Because a badly splinted limb and a moved spine both cause lasting damage.
Do this now
- 01Keep them still and support the injured part in the position you found it.
- 02If you suspect a neck or back injury, or they fell from a height, do not move them at all. Steady the head and wait for the ambulance.
- 03Immobilise the limb with a splint and padding, tying above and below the break, never over it.
- 04Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth for swelling, 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
- 05Cover any open wound with a clean dressing before splinting.
- 06For an older person after a fall on the hip, do not attempt to stand them up.
Do not
- Do not try to straighten or "set" a bent limb. That belongs in a hospital with X-rays and pain relief.
- Do not massage the area or apply hot oil.
- Do not let them walk on a leg you think is broken to "test" it.
- Do not apply ice directly against skin.
- Do not give food or water if surgery is likely.
What to tell the operator
- How they fell and from what height
- Which part is injured and whether the bone is visible
- Whether they hit their head or lost consciousness
- Their age, and whether they take blood thinners
Find help near you
See the nearest places with distance, whether they are open, a phone number and directions.
What this page cannot tell you
- Whether a bone is broken, cracked or only bruised — only an X-ray settles it
- A head injury can look fine for hours before it does not