SAM Splints

Spring is upon us and with the season change comes an increase in visitors for many parks. Unfortunately, as more park visitors arrive the number of injuries tends to go up as well. One tool in the bag of a trained Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) that may be useful with an injured visitor is the SAM splint. Even if you're not trained as an EMR, the tips below are helpful to review in case you are called upon to assist a fellow EMR trained employee.

Advantages of splinting:

• Prevents movement of broken bone ends, a dislocated joint, or damaged soft tissues
• Helps to control bleeding
• Decreases the risk of additional damage
• Prevents closed fractures from becoming open fractures during movement or transport

Basic splinting principles:

• Remove clothing from the injured limb to inspect for open wounds, deformity, swelling, bruising, and capillary refill
• Note and record the pulse, capillary refill, sensation, and movement distal to the point of injury
• Cover all open wounds with a dry, sterile dressing before applying a splint
• Do not move the patient before splinting, unless there is an immediate danger
• Immobilize the joint above and the joint below the injury site
• Pad all rigid splints
• Support the injury site and minimize movement of the limb until splinting is completed
• Splint the limb without moving it unnecessarily

If you have a new SAM splint, there are helpful images on the orange side that show exactly how the splint can be used. These will help as a reminder in the field, but it's a good idea to review the videos listed on the SAM Medical training website to see exactly how to apply the splint according to various injuries.

For written instructions on applying a SAM splint for various types of fractures, visit this website and scroll down the page.

Also check out the SAM splint user guide for even more detailed instruction. A few of the more commonly used splints are shown below:

 

Keep in mind, SAM splints are designed to keep fractures stable BUT they can be useful in a variety of situations. Other users claim to have successfully used a SAM splint as a wind block when trying to light a fire, a storage container, and even a funnel!

**Thanks to Maria Reusing and Melanie Rice for this blog post idea!