T-shirt Cutting 101

No need to carry triangular bandages when you know how to spiral cut a shirt to get a cloth roll. Combine with a 36-inch SAM splint to immobilize an unstable wrist or forearm, knee, or ankle.

Click on the video to the right to see how to spiral cut a T-shirt. Look at the slide show below to see how to mold, pad, and wrap a padded aluminum splint.

Padded Aluminum Splints may be purchased at our online store and fit into the outside zippered pockets on our Guide and Expedition first aid packs.

Want more information on this and other wilderness medicine topics? Take one of our wilderness medicine courses. Guides and expedition leaders should consider taking our Wilderness First Responder course.

Looking for a reliable field reference? Consider consider purchasing one of our print or digital handbooks; our digital handbook apps are available in English, Spanish, and Japanese. Updates are free for life. A digital SOAP note app is also available.