How should a casualty with an extremity injury and absent distal pulses be treated?

Applying a splint and reassessing pulses is the correct approach for a casualty with an extremity injury and absent distal pulses. This action is crucial because splinting can help stabilize the injury and prevent further damage, which is important in managing any potential fractures or dislocations. Additionally, reassessing the pulses after splinting is vital to determine if circulation has been restored to the affected extremity.

In cases of extremity injuries, maintaining proper alignment and immobilization through splinting can potentially enhance blood flow by alleviating compression on vessels caused by movement or misalignment. If absent pulses persist after splinting, further medical intervention may be needed.

In contrast, simply keeping the casualty still and waiting for evacuation may not address the immediate need for stabilization of the injury and does not actively manage the absence of pulses. Performing CPR is not necessary unless the casualty is in cardiac arrest, which is not indicated by the information given in this scenario. Starting fluid resuscitation is typically reserved for cases of significant hemorrhage or shock, which is not directly implied in this extremity injury context. Thus, splinting and reassessing pulses represents a focused approach to managing the injury effectively.