SAM Splint
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The SAM (Structural Aluminum Malleable) Splint is a compact, lightweight, highly-versatile device designed for immobilizing bone and soft tissue injuries in emergency settings. It consists of a layer of .016 inch (.4 mm) strips of soft aluminum, with a polyethylene foam coating.
The SAM splint was invented by Dr. Sam Scheinberg who, as a trauma surgeon during the Vietnam War, found that field medics generally ignored the splint then issued by the Army. He developed the idea while playing with a foil chewing gum wrapper.[1]
The device is often found in First Aid Kits, Emergency Medical Technician's "jump kits," ambulances, and similar settings. Generally supplied in a roll or as a flat strip up to 36 inches (92cm) long and 4 inches (10cm) wide, it can be unrolled and formed to the shape of the injured person's body. Once folded into a curve, it becomes quite rigid and capable of immobilizing a number of different wounds, including a leg, forearm or humerus. Folded properly, it can also be used to stabilize the cervical spine. It can be easily cut with scissors or shears, to make smaller devices such as finger splints.[2][3]
It does not interfere with X-Rays.
After use, it can be cleaned, rerolled, and reused.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Chapman, Elizabeth. "Sam Splint: An epiphany found in a gum wrapper", Newport News-Times, November 14, 2007.
- ^ SAM Splint. Operational Medicine 2001:Health Care in Military Settings. The Brookside Associates Medical Education Division.
- ^ Foucht, Megan (December 27, 2007). Company's creative solutions hold it together. FireRescue1.
[edit] External Links
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