Immobilization of midshaft or distal femur fractures is thought to decrease pain for the patient during transport and to decrease the amount of bleeding and hemorrhage.  Application of a traction splint, however, is a somewhat uncommon, and therefore potentially unfamiliar, procedure.  A look at the literature on the use of traction splints in the prehospital environment shows that they are used uncommonly.  And, when they are used, they are frequently placed incorrectly.