Definate Deflection Emergency Splint Testing
Researched by Stephanie C. 2000-01	PURPOSE  HYPOTHESIS  EXPERIMENT DESIGN  MATERIALS  PROCEDURES  RESULTS  CONCLUSION  RESEARCH REPORT  BIBLIOGRAPHY  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PURPOSE

The purpose of this experiment was to test how much deflection of a broken "limb" different first aid splints would allow."

I became interested in this idea when I was watching paramedics apply splints to broken limbs during the summer. 

The information gained from this experiment may be used to help first aid providers choose a more stable splint for emergency uses especially in transporting patients.

HYPOTHESIS 

My hypothesis is that the SAM splint will create less deflection of a "broken bone" when sideways force is applied. 

I base my hypothesis on an interview with a professional paramedic working for the city of Kennewick who said, "The SAM splint is probably the most dependable splints that we use."

EXPERIMENT DESIGN

The constants in this study were: 
               - the type of wood "arm" that was used (2 x 2)
               - how much force was applied to the splinted"bone" 
               - type of scale used to create force
               - the type of break
               - method of measuring deflection

The manipulated variable was the type of splints used to support the "arm".

The responding variable was the sideways deflection of the wooden "arm" from its original straight position.

To measure the responding variable the deflection of the end of the arm was measured in cm. using a ruler.

MATERIALS
 
 

PROCEDURES

1. Gather the four first aid splints that are required for this project. 
2. Set up vice-grip or clamp to stabilize one end of the "bone", a "2x2" wooden stick cut in half. 
3. Cut a piece of wood to fit in the vice-grip. It must have a break or fracture in it. 
4. Take out a yardstick to measure the deflection of the splint.
5. Place the first splint on the "bone". 
6. Apply the scale to the end of the splint and apply pressures of 250, 500, 750, and 1000 grams. 
7. Each pressure that is applied must be measured with the yardstick to check the amount of deflection.         Use centimeters not inches. 
8. Record the data in an experiment log, including the pressure that was applied in grams.
9. Take off the scale and put it somewhere it’s not going to be damaged while not in use.
10. Remove the first splint from the "bone "and put it off to the side
11. In the experiment log put down the number of grams, as the first splint, for the next ones.
12. Take the second splint and palace it on the "bone".
13. Take the scale and place it on the second splint.
14. Apply the amounts of pressure with the scale as recorded in the experiment log.
15. Once the data has been recorded put the scale aside.
16. Remove the splint from the "bone".
17. Place the third splint on the "broken bone".
18. Place the scale back on and record the data.
19. Once the data has been recorded take off the third splint.
20. Apply the fourth splint and place the scale back on.
21. Record the data gathered and create a data table and graph(s).

The original purpose of this experiment was to test how much deflection of a broken "limb" different first aid splints would allow.

The results of the experiment were that the SAM splint created less deflection compared to the other emergency splints tested.

See the table and graphs

My hypothesis was that the SAM splint would create less deflection of a "broken bone" when a sideways force is applied.

The results indicate that this hypothesis should be accepted because the SAM splint created less deflection than the other first aid splints that were tested.

Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if the type of break in the "bone" affects the deflection? I wonder if the size of the break affects the deflection? My findings should be useful to first aid providers and paramedics because they will be able to give the bone maximum stability.

If I were to conduct this project again I would use a more accurate measurement system to gain more accurate data. I would also use a more realistic replica of a bone for better results.

RESEARCH REPORT INTRODUCTION The human skeletal system is the framework of the body. Occasionally the skeleton itself gets injured in accidents. Those accidents may break the bones of the body. When that happens people apply emergency medical splints to stabilize the bone. HUMAN SKELETAL SYSTEM The human skeletal system affects the way people move. Every person has around two hundred six bones. There are four types of bones that people have in the body itself. They are: the long bones which are long and curved to distribute weight evenly, the short bone which are short and spongy, the flat bone which are flat and hard, and the irregular bone which cannot be classified in the groups above because of their irregular shape and size. The major parts of the skeleton are the rib cage, the cranium and the vertebra or spinal column. The rib cage protects the vital organs inside the body. If one is to break it may cause considerable damage to the organs, especially the heart. The cranium protects the brain, which is the most vital organ to the body because it is the central system controlling the movements of the bones. If the cranium bone breaks it would expose the brain and could cause brain damage. The vertebra protects the spinal cord and the sciatic nerve. If one of the vertebras were to break it could pinch the spine and cause paralysis. A ligament is a fibrous tissue that holds the organs of the body and fastens bones and joints together.  When ligaments are grouped together they are as strong as rope but, can be twisted or torn. That is called a sprain. A sprain is the partial tearing or twisting of a ligament. Sprains heal slowly and may never heal if the ligament is completely torn apart. The treatment for a sprain may include exercise, supportive bandages or splints, even surgery depending on the ligaments involved in the accident and the severity of the injury.   DAMAGE TO THE SKELETAL SYSTEM Damage to the skeletal system can be dangerous to the person’s health. When bones are injured and broken surgeons call it a fracture. Fractures are breaks in a bone and show up on x-rays as dark lines. Fractures aren’t necessarily large, they can be very small and barely noticeable but the person who sustained the injury can help the surgeons decipher if it is a fracture or not by relaying the amount of pain that is being experienced. Fractures may be supported by an ace bandage or a cast or boot. The healing of a fracture may take up to two months. There are many types of fractures, only a few are dangerous. The fracture types are: compound fractures, greenstick fractures, multiple fractures, closed fractures, comminuted fractures, and spiral fractures. Compound or open fractures are when the skin and bone break. This fracture is highly susceptible to infection. Greenstick fractures break only part of the bone. Multiple fractures have more than one break. A closed fracture is when the bone breaks but the skin doesn’t. Comminuted fractures have three or more major parts. A spiral fracture is when the bone is twisted by force. Other types of damage to the skeletal system are not breaks or fractures. The damage is caused by disease. Some of them are osteoporosis, rickets, osteomalacia, and osteomyelitis. Osteoporosis is an age-related disease. It is caused by decreased bone mass and increased susceptibitly to fractures as a result in decreased levels of estrogen.  Osteoporosis affects middle aged and elderly people. The first symptom of osteoporosis is when the bone mass is so depleted that stresses of everyday living that fractures result. This disease affects the whole skeleton especially the vertebral bodies, ribs, proximal femur, humerous and distal radius.  Rickets is a deficiency in vitamin D in children.  It is the inability for the body to transport calcium and phosphorus from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood for utilization by the bones. Osteomalacia is a condition caused by the deficiency of vitamin D, which causes the bones to loose calcium and phosphorus. It causes the bones to soften and bend under the weight of the body. Osteomyelitis is the name under which all other infectious diseases of the bone are placed or grouped. For instance, cancer of the bone would be under this category.  EMERGENCY MEDICAL SPLINTS Splints are generally used to support broken bones. Splints are a benefit to people who have broken their bones. They are used in homes, ambulances, camping equipment, and first aid kits. The people who use splints are always able to help stabilize an arm or leg. These people are usually paramedics, EMT’s, or first aid providers. Paramedics and first aid providers have taken a class on how to apply a splint and not cause the patient pain in addition to the pain of the broken bone. They use splints because it is their job or it is because they know they can help a person in pain. Quite often there is not a splint available and people improvise.    TYPES OF SPLINTS There are many types of splints. The most modern are the SAM splint, the air splint, the wire splint, and the cardboard splint. Quite often the situation of having no splints available comes up. When that happens people refer to any type of stable material like wood or cardboard. The history of splints goes back centuries. The first known splints goes back to primitive man who created a rough outline of today’s splints. The ancient Egyptians also showed signs of breaks and fractures. Mummified bodies were found with splints made of bamboo, reeds, wood, and bark padded with linen. Splints began showing up in Greece, Rome, and Arabia.   SUMMARY The skeleton is what holds people up. It is the framework of the body. People can injure it and when that happens paramedics and first aid providers apply splints to stabilize the broken bone. Back to Top

BIBLIOGRAPHY "American Academy or Emergency Medicine," [online] Available http:// www.aaem. org, October 29, 2000 Blackman, James A. " Sprains and Fractures," Encarta 2000 Conway, John R. III. " The Human Skeleton," World Book Encyclopedia. 1999. vol. 17 pg.241 "First Aid," World Book Encyclopedia. 1998. vol. 7 pp. 140-141 "History of Orthopedics," [ Online] Available http://www.worldortho.com/history.html, January  28, 2001 "National Emergency Medicine Association,"  [online] Available http://www.nemahealth./aboutus.html  October 29, 2000 Reider, Bruce. "Ligaments," World Book Encyclopedia. 1998 vol. 12 pg.281 Silverstine, Alvin Dr. The Skeletal System. New York: Twenty First Century, 1994 pp. 74- 75 Tortora, Gerard J. The Skeletal System. New York: Harper and Row 1990 pp. 230-235

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the following people for their help with my science project.

-Captain Gary, firefighter and senior paramedic for the city of Kennewick, for supplying the four emergency splints. 

-Lisa, for helping me to cut the backgrounds for the project board.

-Mr. Newkirk, for creating documents when I was at home with my fractured ankle.

-Mrs. Pasckvale, for supplying the scale that was used to apply force to the splints.

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