Mounted search and rescue

["IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN" <ilichten1@verizon.net>]

Splints come in various forms and storage shapes.  Some carry SAM splints which are rolled up aluminum sheets for arms and lower legs.  I carry old style ladder splints

which are a folded package of  wire fence.  For collars I use the one piece plastic that nest each size in the other when flat, they fit in the cantle bag with room left over for a spare lead, the OB kit, a disposable blanket, a rain shell, and carrots, all the stuff you may need in a hurry.  The real klutz of the splints is a traction splint for a femur.  This fracture is extremely painful and life threatening but can be relieved by putting traction on the leg.  You can manufacture a traction splint from a good branch (depending on patient size, one to two inches in diameter), lots of cravats (bandanas), and a few good pulls. The “factory” versions are a Thomas Ring, the Hare, and the Sager.  The Thomas is the oldest design, most rigid, and hardest to use.  The Hare is somewhat adjustable for length and uses a mechanical device to apply the traction at the ankle.  The Sager uses only one metal pole instead of the two the Hare uses.  There is a new device out, I am carrying it but haven’t had a chance to use it for real yet, that looks like a Sager but is much lighter and uses a collapsible pole.  The pole is constructed in segments and goes together like a blind persons cane—each section of tubing fits into the one above and a shock cord through the middle holds it together.  There is no winch so you have to secure the leg while holding traction.  When packed up it is about the size of a folded umbrella and weighs under a pound or so.

 

Air splints and vacuum splints are handy,  but preclude access the limb in the splint.  Most air splints are clear so you can at least see what is going on inside.  They both put pressure on the fracture and may cause problems with reduction since the air splint does not splint as it lays, the vacuum will if used carefully.

 

If you deal with or anticipate dealing with fractures in the field carry a lot of Vet Wrap with you.  Since it only sticks to itself it is great for taping splints in place and it stretches a little to allow for swelling.  I also carry Ace type bandages for flexible splints. These tend to get tighter as wrapped and don’t allow for swelling as easily.

You will need rolls of material for padding the splint or filling in spaces between the splint and the body part.  Do not remove boots, shoes, or helmets unless you absolutely have to access the patient. Make sure that the helmet, chest protector, boots, etc. stay with the patient and go to the hospital with them.  A great deal of information concerning the mechanism of injury (how it happened) and what the medical treatment will have to correct is contained in the clothes of the subject.  

 

I use a set of Weaver cordura saddle bags, 26’ cantle but the side bags are actually smaller than standard thickness. One side holds almost all the first aid stuff, packed in plastic bags, the other holds spare halter, neck rope, fence pliers, rawhide laces, hoof pick, a life vest (PFD) strobe, a multi-knife (Swiss Army knock off), a spare whistle, a poncho, some garbage bags, and often a spare water bottle.  The first aid side carries lots of tape, a blood pressure kit, various size dressings from 1 inch strips to chest size pads, CPR mask, spare glasses, spare car keys, extra radio batteries, work gloves, insect bite stuff, sunblock and insect repellent, and tubes of instant glucose (used for suspected low blood sugar).  There are scissors, tweezers, a mini-Mag, and disposable penlights, etc., and some Velcro straps that double as packaging and splint or dressing holders.  There are also 6 pairs of heavy nitrile EMS gloves kept in each kit I carry.  Depending on what I am doing that day I may add either 7x21 or 10x50 binoculars or a camera with a 300 MM zoom lens to the saddle.  The pommel bags carry 4 water bottles, totaling around 5 liters, all squirt type so no caps to loose. I wear a whistle and compass, the radios, and zip the cell phone into a pocket inside a plastic bag with my credentials.  I do not carry a spare helmet because I don’t want to fit one in the field. There is a spare in my vehicle and in my tack locker, both 7 5/8 which is my size. I also have an oxygen set in the vehicle, a grab bag with shoulder strap and a spare bottle (E size) but they are too heavy to carry on a routine ride.

 

We have filed a grant application to get a 2 part Stokes, wheel, and some very portable AEDs .  Having the AEDs may change our no CPR in the field practice but you can’t defibrillate in the saddle.

 Irv Lichtenstein

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From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of E.S.
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2009 11:25 AM
To: Jorene@CEOates.com; Mounted search and rescue
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Transport via horse?