SAM Splints vs ??

I’ve begun carrying a splint on alpine climbs, and in general, tucked in my pack. I just was rummaging through an extra first aid kit laying around and found this wire splint made by Hart.

Thoughts on using this splint? And carrying it instead?

Pros:

• It seems plenty stiff / even more stiff than the Sam splint
• Weighs less than the Sam splint (guessing by feel)
• Packs down considerably smaller

• It’s about 6 inches shorter
• no padding, though integrating clothing should be fine I would think
• the wire ends are bit sharp and need extra care to tuck away, taking away useful length

Seems awesome.  If you get to the point in your climbing day that you need to apply a splint, the minor inconveniences of the wire splint seem just that - minor.  The smaller packing size seems like a major plus.

If you can find an alpine pack that has a removable foam back pad, you have a built in splint. Roll it around the broken limb, give it a tape wrap and you’re set. With a knife you can shape one to be a serviceable C-collar. You do have one of those Trango Shark nut tools don’t you? You know, the one with the knife blade that flips out.
Packs with removable foam pads include Cold, Cold, World, Patagonia, Hyperlite, Blue Ice, Cilo and Feral. There are probably others but you’re sure to find something you like in the above list.Climb safe, Mal

Replying to both you guys,

The best splint is the one you have available to you at the time.

I do actually have a removable foam pad from my Lowe Alpine Ascent Superlight 30 pack. I guess I hadn’t thought of just using that though I could see the downside of taking a knife to my pad after the fact. Not that I wouldn’t if really in need.

Sometimes, I like to have only a generic lightweight fannypack when I climb chimney routes or grade III’s and IV’s.  I am able to fit the Sam splint, tiny first aid kit snacks and headlamp in it with a 2 liter soft bottle clipped to my harness.

With the smaller wire splint i’ll have way more room in the fanny pack now. (Probably for candy)

Yeah I carry one or two wire splints depending on activity. You can carry two while still having half the penalty of a SAM splint.

Padding - well the patients clothes can be modeified to suffice. 

Not as available as the wire but an iv pressure bag rolls down to a similar size and makes an awesome splint using the bag sleeve

IMO, using the foam back panel of your backpack as a splint is the best option for remote alpine climbs where weight and space are a concern. The nice thing about using either a pre-made splint like a SAM splint or using the foam from your pack is that you're able to get by with a little less extra padding and that helps keep the splint nice and svelte which makes patient transport easier, makes continually assessing CSM's easier, and leaves you with your layers to keep you and your patient warm and dry. I'd be concerned with that Hart splint that you'd leave sharp edges exposed that are hazardous to not just the patient, but also the rescuer. Seems to me like it'd require padding on both the inside and the outside of the splint to be easily transported.

If you're not stoked on the idea of cutting up the pad out of your pack, you can always fold the SAM splint in half and slide it into the back panel sleeve of your pack. Takes up zero room in your pack and adds a bit of rigidity to an otherwise very basic alpine climbing pack.

Malcolm Daly wrote: If you can find an alpine pack that has a removable foam back pad, 

 Hyperlite, 

Hyperlite doesn't havea removable pad, but they do have a two removable, bendable aluminum stays, which are probably even better