The same is true for helicopter use. The pressure in the garment increases as altitude is gained and decreases as altitude is lost. The pressure should be carefully monitored whenever there are any temperature or altitude changes. MAST can also be used to splint fractures in the extremities. Traction splints can also be used in conjunction with MAST for femur fractures.
MAST also work well for hip and pelvic fractures.
MAST are designed so that x-rays can be obtained with the garment in place. In cases where the patient has already lost a significant amount of volume, oftentimes inflating the MAST prior to attempting to start IV will increase circulation enough to make veins more apparent and easier to cannulate. The same goes for a patient in cardiopulmonary arrest. The use of MAST in this situation can easily make the difference in a successful or unsuccessful cannulation. MAST can also be placed, without inflating, as a precautionary matter.