What is the difference between sling, cast, splint and plaster?

A sling is usually a triangular bandage used to support an injured arm, and can be applied by anyone with first aid knowledge. A scout's necker is also useable, as is a folded up sweater. Can also be ready made strap thing. Used when support is needed but not complete immobilisation. A cast is a plaster coating to support a broken limb and immobilise the affected part. This is applied by a plaster technician over a bandage layer, and is not done by a first aider. A splint is a rigid thing (can be purpose made or whatever comes to hand) which is strapped above and below a suspected break in a limb. Can be applied by first aider, but if ambulance or hospital is easily available not recommended. More for the wild country. Box splints are for the same purpose, but are shaped like a long box open on one side. The affected limb is placed into the box and the straps tightened. Can be applied by first aider if trained in fractures, but not a standard part of first aid equipment unless in a well equipped first aid post at an event. Carried in ambulances. Plaster can mean either the stuff used to make a cast, or a little flexy thing to cover a wound. Band-aid is a common name in the USA, Elastoplast in the UK. Technically an adhesive dressing. (Source of info: Baloo55th - qualified first aider and former holder of Ambulance Aid certificate as well)

also plaster could mean a back-slab, which is different from a plaster cast - a cast encircles the limb, and a back-slab is a plaster splint essentially, used because there will be swelling after a fracture and a cast risks "cutting off the circulation".

Here's the deal. You break your arm and the paramedics put a splint on it. When you reach the hospital...the docs will put a PLASTER cast on it. Because the cast is sooooooooooooooo heavy...you will use a sling to support it.

A sling (bandage) is one of any sort of loop to supporting something, especially a wide strap of cloth tied behind the neck for supporting an injured arm, made with a triangle bandage or from a handkerchief or neckerchief.

A cast is a shell, frequently made from plaster, encasing a limb (or, in some cases, large portions of the body) to hold a broken bone (or bones) in place until it has healed.

Plaster is the stuff that casts are made of.

A splint is a medical device for the immobilization of limbs or of the spine.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splint_%28medicine%29

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sling

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic_cast