Sam Splints in shtf kits

Let me start by saying that I know little of what each of you has in terms of knowledge and supplies for dealing with a medical emergency. If you have some training, I encourage you to get more. If you have a basic first aid kit, double what supplies are in it. Triple them if you have the chance.

What I want to talk about today is a SAM Splint. Weighs about 4 oz., takes up the space of a can of soda in your pack, costs about $15.00, and is one of the most usefull items you can have in a first aid kit. It can be used to splint just about every bone in your body, and can be used as an improvised C collar for the neck. Its bendable, moldable, cutable, and yet very strong when used properly. The web site for their products, which also includes a new item called Blist-o-ban for preventing blisters, has a chart showing how to place a splint on each major body part, as well as some alternate uses for it. Even some one like melbo can figure it out.

This is not a mandatory item for a kit, a splint can be improvised by just about anything. Rolled up magazine, metal staves from an interior framed pack, canoe paddle, sticks, even another body part. The advantage is that it takes up little to no space/weight, and it is one less thing to worry about when the patient (your loved one) is screaming in front of you. Just unroll and apply to the injury as you have been trained.

Check for a pulse below the injury. Support the injury as you apply the splint. Tape in place. Duct tape is great for this, but you may want to cover the skin if the tape is going to be in contact with it. Check again for pulse. Continue to check for pulse every 15 minutes while transporting to the next level of medical care.

Great item to have, just remember that the best item is between your ears.

There's no excuse not to have 4 or 5 of these now, while you can get them: Amazon.com: Medical Splint - Sam Splint 2 pack - Perfect to Carry 36" Roll: Health & Personal Care



Phishi

 

+1 on the Sam Splints.... Never used any until I did my Combat Lifesaver Course and now I love them. I keep one in pretty much every pack I own. If you fold them up flat instead of rolling them and put them on the bottom of your pack they kind of stiffen it up. He said we could have a couple when we took the class but I was dumb and forgot to grab some. Hopefully when I take the refresher next year I can fill up the old cargo pockets

 

sam splints are a God send. Those things are worth their weight in gold. got a couple around here myself. I also recommend some of those air splints. They do well for ankles and wrists.

Take care Be safe Poacher.

 

+1 on the air splints. I have had screwed up ankles a couple times and was able to walk well with one and not at all without them. In fact Tina twisted her ankle last night and once she put on an air splint was good to go but couldnt walk without it, saved a trip to the ER.

 

Long term use: (Greater than 12 hours to the next level of medical care)

It is not good to have a form of plastic in direct contact with the skin. Long term, this can cause skin breakdown which will lead to other problems. Best to wrap the part that is going to be splinted with a loose covering of gauze (AKA-kling wrap). This will allow some air to circulate between the plastic and the skin.

I stress this after seeing some of the pictures above. The air casts in particular will cause skin damage if not properly applied. The foam on a SAM splint will probably do better, but the gauze should still be placed for long term use. Remember that this splint is to last only until the next level of medical care has been reached, then it is going in the trash.

If I remember correctly, SAM splint makes some long term versions that have a softer foam, looks like terry cloth, on the inside. This is to be placed next to the skin. The hope is that the softer side will still allow the skin to breath while keeping the extremity splinted. Ideally this particular model would be used for long term treatment. Think of it as a cast without the mess and fuss.

phishi

 

A couple of things here.
Keep in mind that a SM splint can be cut with heavy scissors or trauma shears to use on smaller ares (i.e. a finger splint).
If you are in an area where your altitude is changing the pressure of an air splint changes with it, monitor circulation closely and adjust pressure as needed. Both of these items are easy to use with some training, you should also know how to access for signs of circulation (distal pulses and capillary refill).
Remember if a joint is involved you want to stabilize the bone above and below and if it is a bone you stabilize from the joint above to the joint below. With this in mind you may need to add a sling, or bind a body part to another or the body itself in order for the splinting to truly be effective.

 

Sam splints are an excellent idea and IMO should be in everyone's home first aid kit. My nephew broke his wrist skating in my driveway and all I could do was stabilize with rulers and tape. Sam splints are simple, cheap and very easy to use.

 

The air splints are relatively heavy and bulky, prone to leakage, difficult to use on an angulated fracture, and lose pressure with altitude (like when being evacuated by helicoter) - for all of these reasons we don't issue them for medics' aid bags any more.

 

+1 on the SAM Splints. Have them in the vehicles and all packs. We carried air splints for years. The one time we actually needed it, it blew out less than 1 hour into use. SAMs won't. Get one and learn to use it. You'll be glad you did.

 

+1 great to have. I keep several around.

 

Sam splints make excellent beer huggies

 

In my BOB and in my backpack whenever in the woods, mountains desert etc - A fine piece of equipment

 

Another piece of equipment I need to acquire..!

 

Reasonable clone at a fraction of the price

MHR-324 - Universal Splint Bendable Metal Foam Covered 36x4" Easy to apply to Arm or Leg

says stock is limited

 

SAM splints are one of the best inclusions in my First aid kit. I have to grab some more of them. What is the best source to purchase them from?

Thanks

 

cheapest I have found is in the link I posted