What to Do in the First 24 Hours After an Injury

When an injury happens, the actions you take in the first 24 hours can significantly impact your recovery. Whether you’ve twisted your ankle, strained your back, or sustained a more serious injury at work, acting quickly and correctly makes a real difference.

Step 1: Stop and Assess

The first thing to do is stop whatever you’re doing. Continuing to work through pain can turn a minor injury into a serious one. Take a moment to assess how bad the injury is. Can you move the affected area? Is there visible swelling or bruising? Are you in significant pain?

Step 2: Apply the RICE Method

For most soft tissue injuries, the RICE method is your best immediate treatment: Rest — avoid putting weight or strain on the injured area. Ice — apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 20 minutes every 2 hours. Compression — wrap the area with a bandage to reduce swelling. Elevation — raise the injured limb above your heart where possible.

Step 3: Report the Injury

If the injury happened at work, report it to your supervisor immediately. In Australia, failing to report a workplace injury promptly can affect your ability to make a WorkCover claim later. Document everything — what happened, when, where, and who witnessed it.

Step 4: Seek Medical Attention

Even if the injury seems minor, it’s worth getting a professional assessment within 24 hours. A GP can accurately diagnose the injury, rule out fractures or serious damage, and begin a treatment plan. Early treatment often means faster recovery.

Step 5: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Don’t apply heat in the first 48 hours — it increases swelling. Don’t take anti-inflammatories without medical advice if you’re on other medications. Don’t try to ‘push through’ the pain, especially at work.

When to Go Straight to Emergency

Seek emergency care immediately if you hear a crack or pop at the time of injury, if the injured area is deformed or appears dislocated, if you cannot bear weight at all, or if the pain is severe and worsening.

At InjurEase, we support Australians through every stage of injury recovery — from those critical first hours to full return to work. If you’re unsure what to do after an injury, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.