Re: [Paddlewise] First Aid/Splints/Trauma

Date:          Wed, 15 Apr 1998 08:32:27 -0700 (PDT)

>
>Actually, a *deflated* paddle float wrapped around a limb and tied or
>taped might make a good short splint. Comments, anyone?
>
>Chuck Holst  

It can work nicely as a Jones Bandage, where you need pressure and 
support but not full immobilization.  For example, lets say that you 
have taken a nasty swim and have severely bruised the front of your thigh. 
 If it is bad enough, you will have to worry about blood pooling 
under your kneecap, which will hurt like the devil and prevent you 
from walking, thus making things difficult for both yourself and your 
group (once I had so much blood pool under my kneecap that it 
dislocated it -- the Dr. made a small cut and collected almost a litre of 
blood, which is one hell of a lot). 

If you imobilize your leg in a full splint, then it will be 
difficult to work the pooled blood out from under your kneecap.  A 
handy solution is to apply a Jones Bandage (e.g.  an inch or so of 
pile tightly wrapped up with an elastic bandage), which will compress 
enough to keep your kneecap in place, will give you enough support to 
permit walking with crutch/paddle, and will give you enough movement 
to keep the muscles moving and the blood circulating rather than
pooling as much.  

Richard Culpeper
www.geocities.com/~culpeper



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