Improvised Splints

 This post is about improvised splints that you can make with some camping equipment you probably already have.  You could carry a Sam splint with you into the backcountry, but you can make a splint that is just as good or better with stuff you already have.  A lot of Scouts have the ubiquitous blue closed cell foam sleeping pad.  You can fashion these into splints.  Unless you are splinting an entire leg, you are probably going to have to cut the foam.  Consider that these mats cost a few bucks less than a SAM splint.  Although the SAM splint is reusable, once you send somebody to the hospital with your SAM splint, you will probably never see that splint again.  Just sacrifice the mat, and buy a new one later.  

Below are splints for the forearm and lower leg made from a cut closed cell foam pad.


Splints can be secured with a variety of items.  Neckerchiefs, bandanas, belts, sleeping bag straps or duct tape.  If you have a belt that is infinitely adjustable, like a Scout uniform belt or rigger belt, you will have a lot more options than your typical leather belt.  You can roll duct tape around trekking poles, canoe/kayak paddles, external pack frames, or around an old credit card.  Always have about 10 feet of duct tape available.  

Inflatable sleeping mats (not self-inflating) can be used to make a very good splint, and you don't have to harm the mat in the process.  That's a good thing, because they can be expensive.  They can be folded to fit and strapped down before you inflate them.  Once inflated, they are form fitting and work very well.  

There are also inflatable seat pads that can be used for smaller (forearm/wrist) splints.

Below is a knee immobilizer for a sprained knee.  You can still walk with this on if you have to.  By not leaving space between the bottom of the splint and the top of the shoe, this splint will not slide down the leg while walking.  Put the air valve down by the foot end.  

Below is a splint for a broken ankle.  You can't walk on this one.  

Below is a splint for a broken wrist or forearm make from an inflatable seat pad.  Use this in conjunction with a sling.  

I still carry a SAM splint, because you can use it to make a cervical collar for a neck injury.  It can also be used to make an arm or leg splint, but I like the inflatable splint better.  If you have a patient with multiple injuries and only one or none SAM splints, you will be glad you learned to improvise.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Frapping Mallet

Image
I was doing some research on pioneering for an upcoming Camporee with a pioneering theme.  I came across a blog called Ropes & Poles .  One of the articles was about a tool called a frapping mallet .  It is used to tighten up lashings on larger projects.  You wrap the rope around the handle, brace the head against your spar, and use the handle as a lever to tighten the lashing.  I could not find much else on frapping mallets on the internet.  I don't think these are available for purchase anywhere.  I did find an old sailors tool called a heaving mallet used on rigging in a similar manner. Nevertheless, I was intrigued and had to make one.  This is not your typical project that anybody can make in their kitchen, but if you have the required tools, and know how to weld, it's not that hard. Materials 1/2" x 18" iron pipe 1-1/4" x 6" iron pipe scraps of hardwood spray paint Tools Cut off saw drill press center punch hammer 1/4" an
Read more

Dining Fly Poles

Image
Here is how to make some inexpensive poles for a dining fly.  Make two of these, add an inexpensive poly tarp, some cordage and stakes and you have a very economical dining fly. Materials: 1/2" EMT pipe (10') 5/8" oak dowel 7 or 8" aluminum gutter nail (spike) EMT stands for electrical metallic tubing.  It is used as electrical conduit.  It is galvanized steel, but fairly lightweight.  You can buy a 10' foot length of 1/2" diameter pipe for $2 and change at your local home improvement store. If you want an 8' pole, cut your pipe into two 4' sections.  Cut a 2" piece of the 5/8" dowel.  Hammer into into one end of one pipe.  You may need to sand it a bit to make it fit.  You want a tight fit so it doesn't move later.  Now drill a hole through the dowel that is slightly smaller than the gutter nail diameter.  I used a 7/32" bit.  Hammer the nail in until about 2" is still protruding. Now make a piece to connect th
Read more

Scout Staff / Stave

Image
This article is about how to make a Scout staff or stave from lumber, as apposed to harvesting a small tree.  Scout staves have fallen out of favor as an item for each scout to carry, but they are still useful as a patrol flag pole or for pioneering projects. I made some from some hickory that came from a tree that died on my property that I had milled.  You could make these from a regular old 2x4.  Pine is not as strong as hickory, but would make a serviceable patrol flag pole, and you could make a bunch of them for about $1.75 each.  For this project you will need a table saw and a router table, as well as a 9/16" roundover bit.  I bought the bit on eBay for $9, and it performed well. First cut your board to 1 1/8" x 1 1/8" on the table saw.  The length is up to you.  The traditional scout stave is 66".  I think 72" is a better length for a patrol flag pole. If you want to have a hole in the end to secure a patrol flag tie, drilling this while the pie
Read more