Posted: 12/17/2007 4:06:59 PM EDT
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A fellow caver sprained her ankle pretty badly about six weeks ago, and thinks she's good to go for a cave trip this weekend...but is a bit worried about hurting her ankle again. Can any of you with medical training either tell me how to tape up her ankle to give her some support, or point me to a site that can? |
Been there -- done that ... got the knee surgury
Spelunkers are basically inexperienced adventurers...often people who enter caves with flashlights and not much else. People who have heard about a cave somewhere and decide they want to go check it out. Cavers are people who are involved with all aspects of the cave, from conservation, to exploration, mapping, rescue, education, etc... We like to say that cavers rescue spelunkers.  Oh, and she has seen a doc, who said she can go caving if she wants. She's just a bit skittish and doesn't want to injure her ankle again. |
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Packa SAM splint and a bunch of wrap/tape + make sure her boot can fit over a taped up ankle (unlaced, of course). Be mindful of where you are going in (look at it as how big of a PITA is it to pass a stokes out if she screws it up) Think hypothermia as the biggest threat should she require an extended extrication (ie layer well) followed by hypoglycemia & dehydration. |
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In HS football, I had a nasty ankle sprain & the trainer taped it in what he called a "Louisville Wrap" on game day. I caught a pass and ran 40 yds to the 1 yd line & didn't feel a thing. It pretty much imobolizes the ankle with athletic tape. I'll try to find you a link. ETA for how - to video! www.ehow.com/how_9595_tape-sprained-ankle.html It's extremely important that you check for capillary refill at the toenails after taping. If your tape job is too tight it will affect circulation. To check cap refill, grab the nail between your thumb and forefinger and squeeze the nail. Release it quickly and you should see a white toenail quickly pinken as blood fills it. If it does not refill, your tape is too tight & must be loosened. |
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Short version: Make several "U-type" wraps from underneath the foot to each side of the ankle, going about 3-4" above the ankle itself, about 3-4 wraps for a smaller sized female. Make them snug, but not tight! Then do a figure-S type wrap from the base of the foot to the back of the leg. Cut the tape at the end of each run, i.e. don't make one long-assed wrap. Then make one snug wrap at the top of the ankle, about 3-4" above the ankle joint itself. She should be able to flex it only a little bit, but not much. It should NOT be too tight to cut off circulation!!!!! It's also more fun to wrap is she's nekkid................. 
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