ST JOHN AMBULANCE: How to deal with rib injuries

One or more ribs can be fractured by direct force to the chest from a blow or a fall, or by a crush injury.

If there is a wound over the fracture, or if a broken rib pierces a lung, the casualty’s breathing may be seriously impaired.

An injury to the chest can cause an area of fractured ribs to become detached from the rest of the chest wall, producing what is called a ‘flail-chest’ injury.

The detached area moves inwards when the casualty breathes in, and outwards as he breathes out.

This ‘paradoxical’ breathing causes severe breathing difficulties.

Fractures of the lower ribs may injure internal organs such as the liver and spleen, and may cause internal bleeding.

Symptoms might include:

• Bruising, swelling or a wound at the fracture site.

• Pain at the site of the injury.

• Pain on taking a deep breath.

• Shallow breathing.

• If there is a wound over the fracture, you may hear air being ‘sucked’ into the chest cavity.

• Paradoxical breathing.

• Signs of internal bleeding and shock.

Follows these simple steps:

• Help the casualty to sit down and ask them to support the arm on the injured side; help them if necessary.

• For extra support, place the arm on the injured side in a sling.

• Arrange to take or send the casualty to hospital.

Do not allow the casualty to eat or drink as an anaesthetic may be necessary.

If the casualty loses consciousness, open the airway and check breathing.

If they need to be placed in the recovery position, lay them on their injured side to allow the lung on the uninjured side to work to its full capacity.

• For those looking for quick, easily accessible first aid information, the St John Ambulance app is available free on smartphones and the website (www.sja.org.uk) offers demo videos, an interactive game, and lots of free advice. For more information about first aid courses please call 0303 003 0101.

---

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.