Physical Education

Fracture of the Jaw
The lower jaw is also known as the mandible. The casualty may have difficulty breathing, difficulty in talking, chewing, and swallowing, and have pain of movement of the jaw. The teeth may be out of line, and the gums may bleed, and swelling may develop. The most important consideration is to maintain an adequate open airway.
In addition to the general procedures above, apply a four-tailed bandage (Fig. 6-8), be sure the bandage pulls the lower jaw forward. Never apply a bandage that forces the jaw backward, since this may interfere with breathing. The bandage must be firm enough to support and immobilize the lower jaw, but it must not press against the casualty's throat. The casualty should have scissors or a knife to cut the bandage in case of vomiting.

Figure 6-8 - Four Tailed Bandage for a Fractured Jaw