MAST vs Hare

[Dave Burns]

Reply to: RE>>MAST vs Hare
>You learn about traction splints all throughout your emergency medical
>training. When it comes right down to it though, usually with a person
>with a femur fracture, you'll have a high index of suspicion of other
>types of trauma. With the possibility of blood loss and hypovolemia,
>MAST trousers are a safe, precautionary bet.

And in my EMT class we were taught and practiced that MAST can be applied
over a traction splint.

Anyone ever used a "Reel" splint, or are they off the market? We used these
wonderful hybrid traction splints years ago at another department I worked
for.
They are articulating traction splints available in a couple sizes. They can
be applied to any side of an extremity. They bend in the middle and the
sides
can be adjusted individually so if you needed one side longer than the other
it could be set up that way no problem. The child size worked wonders on
upper extremity fractures (in a non-traction mode of course). Interested to
hear if anyone else has used these and their comments.

David G. Burns, Lt.
Greater Manassas Volunteer Rescue Squad
Manassas, VA

[BCFD #36]

In article <EMERG-L%9405241...@VM.MARIST.EDU>, Dave Burns <dave_...@CPQM.SAIC.COM> writes:
> Reply to: RE>>MAST vs Hare
>

> Anyone ever used a "Reel" splint, or are they off the market? We used these
> wonderful hybrid traction splints years ago at another department I worked
> for.

YES !!! The owner of the company who manufactures them is on the Ben Lomond
Fire Dept. in Ben Lomond Ca. The Reel Splints are EXCELLENT. A few years ago
the Army was interested in them and put their manufacture out for competitive
bid. Some other company underbid REEL and won the contract. Even though the
splint is patented, the Army does not have to adhear to the patent and the
manufacturer does not have to pay royalties. Talk about getting screwed.

If anyone is interested they have a video tape that shows how they are used.
I cannot recommend them enough. Worked real well on an open angulated tib-fib
we had awhile back.
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| Dave Scruggs | GTE Government Systems | Boulder Creek Fire Dept |
| | Mtn. View CA. | Boulder Creek CA |
| | ~SMTS III | EMT-1A, EMT-D |
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~Senior Master of Technical Stuff