R.I.C.E.

R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) R.I.C.E. is an acronym (word coming from the first letters) for the most important elements- rest, ice, compression, and elevation- in first aid of many injuries. Use this acronym to jog your memory when you are faced with injuries such as, sprains, strains, dislocations, contusions, and simple fractures.

Rest-
Stop using the injured part and rest it as soon as or quickly after the injury has occurred. Continued physical activity on the injured part could cause further injury, delayed healing, increased pain, and stimulate bleeding. Use crutches to avoid bearing weight on injuries to the foot, ankle, knee, and leg. Use splints or braces for injuries to the hand, wrist, fingers, elbow, and arm. After proper medical treatment, the injured area may require a splint or cast to keep the area immobilized until until it heals.

Ice-
Ice helps stop the internal bleeding from injured blood vessels and capillaries. Sudden cold causes small vessels to contract. This contraction of the blood vessels reduces the amount of blood that can collect around the wound. The more blood that collects, the longer the healing time. Ice can be safely applied in several ways:

For injuries to small areas, such as a finger, toe, foot, or wrist, immerse the injured area in a bucket of ice water.
For injuries to larger areas, use ice packs. Avoid placing ice directly on the skin. Before applying, wrap the ice pack in a towel, cloth, or compression bandage. The ice pack may be placed directly on the injured part, or it may be wrapped in place.
Ice the injured area for about 20 minutes.
Remove the ice to allow the skin to warm for 15 minutes.
Reapply the ice.
Repeat the icing cycle for 3 hours, as well as the instructions below for compression and elevation. If pain or swelling persist after 3 hours, consult your doctor.

Compression-
Compression decreases swelling by slowing the bleeding and limiting the accumulation of blood and plasma near the injured site. Without compression, fluid from adjacent normal tissue seeps into the injured area. The more blood and fluid that accumulates, the slower the healing. Here are instructions for apply compression to an injury safely:

Use an elasticized bandage for compression, if possible. If you do not have one available, any kind of cloth will suffice for a short time. Wrap the injured part firmly, wrapping over the ice also. Begin wrapping below the injury site and extend above the injury site. be careful not to compress the area so tightly that you cut off circulation. Signs of blood flow deprivation include: pain, numbness, cramping, and blue-purple discoloration. Remove the bandage immediately if these symptoms appear. Leave the bandage off until all signs of deprived circulation disappear. Then re-wrap the area, not quite as tight.

Elevation-
Elevating the injured part above the level of the heart is another way to decrease swelling and pain. Elevate the iced, compressed area in whatever way is most convenient. Prop an injured leg on solid objects or pillows. Elevate an injured arm by lying down and placing pillows under the arm, or placing them on the chest with the arm folded. The whole upper part of the body may be elevated gently using pillows, or a reclining chairs. Back to Main Page

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