Tourniquet use in the civilian prehospital setting

[GunnerMax]

http://www.itstactical.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tq-civ.pdf

I found this today in my 12 hours per day perusing of the interweb. Enjoy.

Take close notes of Figure 1, Stepwise approach to haemorrhage control

There is a reason us in the military are taught to write a "T" then the time on the victims forehead. Also, this is why I always carry a sharpie marker in my uniform.

[Sniper-T]

Well written article. Tournequets certainly have their place, but can be equally life threatening if used improperly.

Thanks for sharing!

[Taz Baby]

Thanks, I added that to my SHTF files I have

[GunnerMax]

I found this today:
Eleven 10 Gear - Kydex SOF-T Tourniquet Case (http://www.1110gear.com/eleven-10-kydex-sof-t-tourniquet-case/)
Eleven 10 Gear - Kydex CAT Tourniquet Case (http://www.1110gear.com/eleven-10-kydex-cat-tourniquet-case/)

They can come with a belt attachment, MOLLE, or a dropleg holster attachment (works with safariland 2 hold openings in the leg shroud!!!)

[wingnutx]

I keep CATs in all my various kits. This is the most commonly issued tourniquet in the US military, and is very easy to use.

Last gunshot wound I responded to was a kid who took an ND from a 12 gauge to the inner thigh. He was barely alive from blood loss when they got him to the hospital. A tourniquet would have done a much better job than the towel his mom was pressing against the wound.

When that plane went into the crowd at an airshow last September, several of the 11 deaths were from extremity bleeds. A bunch of tourniquets would have been a godsend.

If you don't have a sharpy to write on the victim's forehead, just use blood & your finger. There will be plenty of it all over.

Here's the video I use when teaching first aid in the reserves: CAT Tourniquet, One-Handed Application - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpLysF4KTF8). There's also a 2-handed video.

BTW, watch out for counterfeit CAT tourniquets. There are some being sold that will break during use.

[bacpacker]

More good instruction. Thanks

[The Stig]

Excellent info Wingtux. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[GunnerMax]

sadly I believe I am in possession of 2 fake CATS bought from ebay for $15 each. When the money isnt blocked from my use, I am going to get real ones from North American rescue itself.

[IDTANDY]

Great find.I keep Israeli Bandages in my jump kit.It can be used as a tourniquet.
Tourniquets are last resort.

[bacpacker]

I've been trying to stock izzy bandages in all my bags, vehicles, and FAKS. Hopefully I'll have one around if I ever need it.

[GunnerMax]

yeah, I have found much luck with IZZY bandages from Isreal on ebay. dude sells them by the 4, 6, and sometimes 20 packs.

[wingnutx]

Fake CAT info (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CFMQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalsci.com%2Ffiles%2Fcomb at_application_tourniquet__gen_iii_vs._e-cat___nxpowerlite_.pdf&ei=_tR_T_4Q5qiIAq_l-ZwD&usg=AFQjCNG1TP_g6CdShzb-WK9sP9RmRDj4SQ)

[apssbc]

With urging we have added 2 cats to each ambulance, and also we have 12 in our mass causality trailer. We were able to get a protocol added so that all agencies in the county can now have them. TQ's work its as simple as that, are they needed for every occasion no. But youll know it when they are. I carry 2 on my personal kit. Plus three in my medical bag. They are just one of those things you never want to leave home without.

They work for the military and there is no reason they are not applicable to our daily lives. Sure you may be able to control bleeding with other techniques, but it those fail then you have lost much time and blood...which you dont have much to spare of either. You need to recognize what injury is indicated for a TQ. Failing to recognize it will lead to death. Plus in a combat situation you apply the TQ and can hopefully get back into the fight if possible. Much faster than trying to control life threatening bleeding with pressure, elevation and the such.

Plus in the long run Id rather be less one limb then dead.