Posterior Shoulder Dislocation: Airplane Splint

Setup the splint. Tape the cardboard into a large

triangle in at least 3 places. Don’t worry about

where you tape for now. We’ll fine tune that later.

Patient will present themselves with dislocation

which prevents them from lowering their arm.

First priority, check for bleeding by going to

skin and then check CSM.

Secure the arm to the head using a figure 8

bandage of the head and the wrist.

Tie a cravat around the patient’s waist and then

bring in the cardboard. Insert the cardboard into

the waist strap and check for alignment. Use

your sharpie pen to mark the angle of the arm

which you want to replicate.

Use your sharpie to draw in the other side of the cut. In this

instance we need to add more tape otherwise we’ll cut away

almost all the holding force of the existing tape.

So no big deal, just add another tape band to the splint.

After cutting the splint, just open the top of it. You also want

to make a “notch” in the side of the splint to keep your cravat

from sliding down the splint.

Put the splint on the patient at the waste and

then attach a sling around the chest to hold it

in place and support the arm. Lock this cravat

into the notch that you cut on the side of the

splint.

The splint portion which covers the arm ought to be cut to

size. Since it’s on the patient, you cannot use your knife,

but paramedic shears are fine. Just mark a line with your

sharpie and then cut it off.

Wa-la!

Now secure the arm in place with another roller bandage and

you’ll be set. Ideally we should add carpet padding if we have

it to make the best fit possible.

The completed spint supports the patient’s

arm in the position found. There is nothing to

sling and swath. It’s already packaged to go

into the toboggan sitting in a chaise lounge.

Just check CSM once more and you’re good

to go.