PANat Urias Johnstone User Manual page 15

3. Contraindications
 Deep vein thrombus diagnosed or suspected.
 Acute lung oedema.
4. Precautions
 Small broken areas of skin should be covered with a dressing; the air splint can
then be applied.
 Jewellery should be removed from practitioner and client before air splint
application.
 A thin cotton sleeve should cover the client's limb while the air splint is in use as a
protection against sweat rash. This is not necessary for the hand, fingers and
toes.
 Pressure should never exceed 40 mm Hg. Pressure should be read when the limb
is at rest.
 The air splint should not be worn in direct sunlight. Strong sunlight through the
plastic may cause a burn to the skin.
 The limb must be passively mobilised before and after application of the air splint.
 No air splint should be left on for more than 45 minutes, but should be taken off
and reapplied and the treatment session continued.
 Never use for overnight positioning.
 Dispose of air splints in the household waste. Do not burn or incinerate.
5. Inflation of air splints
 The air splints should be orally inflated. The warm air from the lungs ensures the
air splint is well fitting and comfortable giving an even pressure over the limb.
 If the client experiences any pain the air splint must be removed and reapplied.
 Inflation pressure should be checked by a manometer and must not exceed 40
mm Hg at rest (use a 10 cm connection between splint valve and manometer).
Electric/mechanical pumps to blow up air splints are not recommended, as the
advantages of blowing up by mouth are lost (see above). For hygienic purposes
filters with a personal mouthpiece are used.
6. Care of air splints / storage
 New air splints should be inflated with the zip open to ensure that the two layers
of plastic separate. After fully inflating the air splint, the valve should be opened
and the air splint rolled up to force all the air out. The air splint is then
straightened and is ready for use.
 When not in use, the air splint should be stored flat, or hung up so that the
inflation tube hangs downwards to ensure there is no strain at the junction of the
inflation tube and the air splint. This inflation tube must never be used to handle
or carry the air splint.
 To clean the air splints wipe them over with a mild disinfectant, then dry with a
towel. If necessary the valve may be disconnected and washed and the inflation
tube cleaned with a test tube brush dipped in a mild disinfectant, allowed to dry
and then reassembled.
 Air splints should be stored at room temperature (+10 degrees).
 A personal detachable mouthpiece for inflation is recommended. This is easily
fitted to the inflation tube,
 Many clients prefer to have their own air splints and when necessary, carers and
family members are taught to use them by the therapist.
© Rights reserved PANat 2009, revised 02/2015, version 2017
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