How to Make an Arm Sling in Three Different Ways

1

Obtain a fabric square of the appropriate size. A fabric square serves the same purpose as a traditional sling in this method. The exact dimensions of the fabric you'll need will depend on factors like your height and weight. Commonly, a fabric square measuring about 40 inches (102 cm) (1 meter) on each side is adequate for most people. Stretchy fabric allows your arm to bend and move, which can aggravate your injury, so an inelastic piece of fabric is preferable. [1]

• Acquiring a 40-inch (101-centimeter) The quickest and easiest way to obtain a small (6. 6 cm) square piece of fabric is to use sharp scissors or a fabric knife to snip a scrap from an old pillowcase or bed sheet that you don't mind ruining. You can use your bare hands to rip these to the appropriate dimensions if necessary.
• If you're making a sling, it's better to use a fabric square that's too big than one that's too small. If your sling is too big, you can tighten it by retying the knot behind your head, but you can't make it any looser than the length of the fabric will allow.

2

Make a triangle out of the fabric by folding it in half diagonally. The next step is to create a triangle by folding the cloth diagonally across itself. The "fat" middle of the triangle provides support for your arm while the thin corners form a neckband behind your head when worn as a sling. [2]

• If the sling's folded form is too restrictive, you can always cut the square on the diagonal to achieve the same result.

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3

Before putting on the sling, make sure any cuts or scrapes are cleaned and bandaged. If you're making a sling from household fabrics, your arm will be in contact with fabric that has not been treated with antibacterial agents. If your injured arm has any open wounds, it is crucial that you make sure they are all properly cleaned, dried, and bandaged before exposing them to the sling's material. The following is a rough guide for cleaning minor wounds; for more information, please refer to How to Care for Minor Abrasions and Scratches. Do not try to make a sling for yourself if you have a serious injury or if you can see a bone at the site of your injury. [3]

• You should first wash any open wounds, but don't use ice water or boiling hot water. And employ water with a mild current Not harsh You will hurt your arm even more if you try any of the things that are specifically forbidden.
• If you can't wash the wound clean, use a clean pair of tweezers to remove any dirt or other debris.
• Cover the cut with a bandage Make sure there is no adhesive touching the wound and use a bandage that completely covers it. When applying a bandage, it's a good idea to first clean the wound and then layer clean gauze on top.
• A splint may also be necessary; if so, it should be applied before the sling.
• In the absence of medical training, avoid touching the wound.

4

Take off any ornamentation on the hurt arm. The next step is to remove any jewelry from the hurt arm. This includes rings, bracelets, and armbands. When an injured arm swells while healing, jewelry (especially snug pieces) can restrict blood flow to the area, resulting in pain, irritation, and possibly even becoming stuck. [4]

5

Wrap the cloth around your body, beginning at one shoulder and ending at the other. Put the hurt arm across your chest at a right angle (perpendicular to the floor). Place the folded, triangular piece of fabric over your uninjured shoulder using your other arm. Allow the remaining fabric to droop so that it rests behind the injured arm, with the umbrella's "point" pointing roughly toward the hip on the same side of the body. [5]

6

Position the sling's other end over your opposite shoulder. With your healthy arm, pick up the floor-facing corner of the triangle and bring it across your body, over the shoulder where the other end of the fabric is located, and behind your neck. In this step, the fabric will come into contact with the injured arm; pull gently to avoid causing further harm. Sling fabric should be long enough that the injured arm can hang at a comfortable 90 degree angle. [6]

• In order to use your fingers for simple tasks like writing while still having your hand supported by the sling, they should extend just beyond the "cuff" of the sling. Unless this is the case, you may need to modify the sling's fit.

7

Wrap the sling around your neck and tie the ends together. When you've settled on a length that feels good, tie a simple knot in the sling's beginning and end to keep it in place behind your neck. Loosen this knot and retie it higher (or lower) on the length of the fabric to change the sling's hanging height. Congratulations Put on your new sling now. [7]

• Slip a small pad or towel under the knot if it's digging into your neck uncomfortably.
• When tying the knot, take care not to catch any of the hair at the back of your neck. Some of your hair may get caught in the knot, and if you move your arm or walk, it may yank painfully.

8

You can use a safety pin to secure the sling's opening if you like. Wrap the sling around your elbow, and if you have a safety pin on hand, secure the two ends together. For your elbow, this provides a "backstop." Without this support, the sling may bunch up at the wrist or your arm may slip out the back as you move. [8]

9

Keep your sling in a healthy position while you walk around. The burden of supporting your injured arm is shifted to your upper back and neck when you use a sling. This extra weight can put strain on your back and neck; even if you don't feel any pain, you'll likely notice that your sling tires out the muscles in your scapulae over time. Keep this from happening by sitting up straight and keeping your shoulders back. The following are some quick pointers on how to improve your posture:

• When you're standing up straight with your sling on, your shoulders should be relaxed and pulled back. Don't slouch and remember to keep your chin up.
• Keep your back against the backrest of the chair (if there is one) whenever you sit while using the sling. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your back straight. Maintain a straight posture by keeping your head and chin up. Always keep both feet firmly on the ground. Stay upright and avoid slouching. You are free to rest your arm on the armrest of the chair if doing so makes you feel more comfortable.
• See a doctor if you develop severe back or neck pain while using a sling. If you have a history of neck or back problems, you should probably forego the sling.