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SAM SPLINT

Katie Contreras

EMT LIEUTENANT

WHEN I GOT HOME FROM THE EMERGENCY ROOM THAT NIGHT, I FELT LIKE MY FINGER INJURY WAS UNSUPPORTED AND UNSTABLE — SO I REACHED INTO MY EMERGENCY KIT FOR MY SAM® FINGER SPLINT.

October 19, 2020

SEMI-PRO ATHLETE HURT ON THE FIELD

Having an emergency kit with medical devices on hand is important - not just for severe, life-threatening situations. Katie Contreras, a Training Lieutenant and EMT for San Marcos Hays County, was off-duty playing football when she suffered from a minor but painful injury. She recalls the incident:

“I play for the Austin Outlaws-- a semi-professional women's football team. We were in the playoffs against the Houston Power team. I was playing against their cornerback, and my finger got stuck in her jersey. We thought it was a jammed finger, so I buddy-taped it and then went back in to play.

A few hours later, I went to a local emergency room to check it out. A comminuted fracture (a break or splinter of the bone into more than two fragments) was shown; however, because one of the bone chips was underneath the knuckle, they opted not to splint it.

When I got home from the hospital later that night, I felt like my finger was unsupported and unstable so I reached for my SAM® Finger Splint in one of my home emergency kits. Compared to other devices I’ve used in the past, SAM® Splints just work better because they are adjustable depending on the type of injury. It has many more uses that it’s good for.

Since my injury happened on a Saturday, I had to wait until Monday before I could get in to see my orthopedic doctor. That means my finger would’ve been unsplinted for two full days -- having the SAM® Finger Splint on helped it to feel supported until I could see my doctor.”

I teach first responders and firefighters basic bleeding control techniques through the BleedingControl.org website, plus locally in San Marcos, Texas and in Corpus Christi for Texas State Aquarium. Since January, I’ve taught around 1350 people how to stop the bleed. All local EMS and fire departments have gone through the class. We have a lot of people dying who don’t need to die- when there’s a mass casualty incident or any major incident.

I’m a believer in arming both bystanders and first responders with the supplies and techniques to take care of bleeding and other emergency situations. I carry SAM Medical products both professionally and personally.

COMPARED TO OTHER DEVICES I’VE USED IN THE PAST, SAM® SPLINTS JUST WORK BETTER

- Katie Contreras

3 TIPS FROM KATIE

01 01

Athletes, trainers, or anyone going into the wilderness are urged to have both SAM® Finger Splints and full-size splints on hand, because they are adjustable and can be used for multiple types of injuries.

02 02

Everyone should consider carrying an individual bleeding control kit with a CoTCCC recommended tourniquet. It’s also important to seek out training and be knowledgeable about the kit they’re carrying.

03 03

Thinking of pursuing a career in emergency medicine? First volunteer with your local fire department to gain more background knowledge and experience before going to school.

SAM SPLINT

Colter Hansen

FATHER & OUTDOORSMAN
Emergency situations can happen in a flash-- just ask father and SAM Medical customer Colter Hansen. He and his family were in the midst of an adventurous tour across the U.S.-- 50 states in 50 weeks-- when a sudden accidental injury occurred to his young daughter.

Officer Lorne Juday

BIG RAPIDS DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY
There are many instances in which severe blood loss can pose life threatening outcomes. In this case, Police Officer Lorne Juday with Big Rapids Dept. of Public Safety was dispatched for a possible suicide attempt.

Ian Six

EMT & FORMER MARINE
A former Marine, Ian Six was part of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) rescue team that was called to a metal scrap yard where a man had slipped on a conveyor belt and entrapped his leg between the gears.

SAM SPLINT

Katie Contreras

EMT LIEUTENANT
Having an emergency kit with medical devices on hand is important - not just for severe, life-threatening situations. Katie Contreras, a Training Lieutenant and EMT for San Marcos Hays County, was off-duty playing football when she suffered from a minor but painful injury.

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