Cast assembly with breathable double knit type padding

A casting or splinting assembly comprising:

• a compressible padding layer including a double knit type padding material consisting an inner layer and an outer layer spaced apart from one another, and filaments extending between and spacing said layers apart, said filaments being integrally woven or knit into both said inner and said outer layers, said outer layer having openings of substantial size for air circulation and greater in size than openings defined along the inner layer, the inner layer having a finely knit or woven structure forming a smooth surface structure, the padding layer being devoid of a hardening material such that the padding layer remains compressible upon exposure to water;
• and
• a hardenable layer including casting fabric impregnated with water hardenable material overlying the outer layer of said padding material, said casting fabric having substantial openings, for increased air circulation.

A cast or support assembly comprising:

• a compressible double knit padding material including an inner layer of hydrophobic material, and an outer layer of hydrophilic material, and filaments extending between and spacing the inner and outer layers apart, the inner layer being of a finely knit or woven structure defining a smooth surface structure, the filaments being integrally woven or knit into both the inner and the outer layers, the inner and outer layers each having a plurality of openings, the openings of the outer layer being greater than the openings of the inner layer and shaped of substantial size for air circulation, the padding layer being devoid of a hardening material such that the padding layer remains compressible upon exposure to water;
• and outer water hardenable material overlying said padding material, said outer material being impregnated with water activatable hardening material to provide the desired immobilization;
• whereby the inner layer of hydrophobic and outer layer of hydrophilic material included in said padding material facilitate the wicking of moisture away from the skin to accomplish rapid drying of the cast assembly.