How to make an arm sling
An arm sling stops someone’s arm moving (immobilisation) and
protects it so it can heal. It’s also a useful warning to others
that someone has an injury so they should be careful around
them.
There are two types of arm sling – an arm sling and an elevation sling. You can make both using a
triangular bandage.
Watch our video - how to make a sling
Arm sling
An arm sling holds someone’s forearm in a horizontal or slightly
raised position. This gives support for:
•an injured upper arm
•an injured wrist or forearm
•someone who can bend their elbow
•someone with a rib fracture
Arm sling – what you need to do
Step 1 of 5: Support their bad arm
Ask them to support their bad arm with their other hand. Slide
the triangular bandage underneath it, with the longest edge (the
base) parallel to their body at the tip of the little finger. The
tip of the bandage (the point) should stick out past their
elbow.
Step 2 of 5: Pull the top bit
- Gently pull the top bit under their bad arm and around the neck
to the opposite shoulder.
- Take the bit that’s hanging down over their arm and up to meet
the other end at their shoulder.

Step 3 of 5: Make a reef knot
Tie the ends together in a reef knot at the hollow above their
collar bone and tuck in the ends.

Step 4 of 5: Adjust the sling
- • Adjust the sling so that it supports their arm all the way to
the top of their little finger.
- • Twist the tip by their elbow until it fits snugly around
their elbow and tuck it in or safety pin it.

Step 5 of 5: Check their circulation
Check their circulation in their fingers and keep checking every
ten minutes. If it’s too tight, loosen the bandage and sling and
tie them again.