Knee injury

A fall or collision against the rockface can cause injury to the knee, resulting in pain and the inability to bear weight.

STEP 1: RECOGNIZE SYMPTOMS
The affected area of the body is often extremely painful and becomes hot and swollen. A useful aid here is a RICE bandage: This is a compression bandage that also cools. R stands for rest, I stands for ice, C for compression and E for elevation.

STEP 2: CONSTRUCT A COLD PACK
You can cool the area by making a cold pack out of a disposable glove filled with moist soil or water. To do this, put on a disposable glove, grab some moist soil, and then turn the glove inside out, keeping the soil inside and then tie a knot in it.

STEP 3: APPLY “RICE” BANDAGE
The injured person can place the improvised cold pack on the most painful area without removing any clothing. The first responder can now fix the cold pack with an elastic bandage.

STEP 4: EMERGENCY CALL YES OR NO?
Compression helps prevent further swelling and the cold pack helps to reduce the pain. Now make a joint decision as to whether descending or rappelling is possible or whether an organized rescue is required. If you have to wait, the patient should be kept warm and be well taken care of.