I still have the inflatable leg cast from my days as a Ragin' SAR Animal, and it got a lot of use. They were easy to apply and usually did a minimal amount of damage to a closed fracture - I wouldn't have even considered using them on something like an open, angulated fracture. In our situations, they had one important drawback. Our victims were usually treated in the mountains and heloed down to the hospital. This meant constant and speedy adjustment to the pneumatic splint. Same problem with ground transport, although you had a little more time...

A few years ago, I had an opportunity to apply this very same air splint to my clobbered ankle, the result of an unfortunate lead fall in Joshua Tree. With the aid of the rest of the group, I was able to get myself to the ER. I never walked on the thing and I wouldn't even think of recommending such a procedure, even in my wildest dreams. IMO, your source is completely stark bonkers. I can't wait to hear what the real medical pros on this forum have to say about this.....