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When to Use Air or Padded Splints

Air splints or pneumatic splints are inflatable sleeves made specifically for a particular body part. Padded splints describe any rigid piece of material like wood with padding placed between it and the injured body part.

  1. Benefits

    • Air splints are lightweight, portable and accommodate multiple sizes by adjusting the level of inflation. They provide compression, which helps to slow bleeding and swelling that is occurring in the injured body part. They are also reusable following proper cleaning procedures. Padded splints can be made out of any stiff item like wood or cardboard cushioned with soft material like cloth. These materials can be found in your immediate environment.

    Emergency Immoblization

    • Air splints and padded splints are used in the field by military personnel, on the playing field for treatment of sports injuries and on the road for management of injuries after automobile accidents.

    Considerations

    • Padded splints should be used in place of air splints when a bone is protruding through the skin, to avoid blood contamination. Maintain manual stabilization of the injured body part while the splint is applied.

      Do not overinflate an air splint as this can compromise blood flow to the area.

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