The SAM (structural aluminum malleable) splint is a compact, lightweight, highly versatile device designed for immobilizing bone and soft tissue injuries in emergency settings.
It consists of a layer of .016 inches (0.41 mm) strips of soft aluminum, with a polyethylene closed-cell foam coating.
[citation needed] Generally supplied in a roll or as a flat strip up to 910 millimetres (36 in) long and 108 millimetres (4.25 in) wide, it can be unrolled or unfolded and formed to the shape of the injured person's body.
Once folded into a curve, it becomes quite rigid and capable of immobilizing injured limbs and bones, including the leg, forearm, and humerus.
[citation needed] It can be easily cut with any scissors or shears, to make smaller devices such as finger splints.