Pocket Preps: Tourniquet Purchaser’s Information

On a couple of event, I heard the story a few man who was utilizing a chainsaw in his yard to wash up some storm particles. As he was chopping a number of of the fallen branches, he misplaced his footing and the working chainsaw got here down on his leg, inflicting an incredible wound. Whereas his spouse rapidly known as 9-1-1 and helped apply direct stress, the femoral artery was minimize and he died earlier than the ambulance arrived. A tourniquet would’ve possible saved his life.

Tourniquet use goes again to a minimum of the 4th century BC, when Alexander the Nice had troops utilizing tourniquets of leather-based and bronze. There are different documented makes use of throughout the Center Ages with battlefield tourniquets, which have been easy garrotes. In 1785, Sir Gilbert Blane advocated that, in battle, every Royal Navy sailor ought to carry a tourniquet: “It often occurs that males bleed to loss of life earlier than help could be procured, or lose a lot blood as not to have the ability to undergo an operation. In an effort to stop this, it has been proposed, and on some events practiced, to make every man carry about him a garter, or piece of rope yarn, in an effort to bind up a limb in case of profuse bleeding.”

Using tourniquets waned after World Battle II, with a lot documented misapplication, plus lag time between utility and subsequent receiving of correct medical consideration, inflicting them to fall out of favor. However their navy use continued to rise via the Korean Battle, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

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Right this moment, after a lot scientific examine, their use has develop into mainstream. A set of established scientific observe pointers direct the suitable use of tourniquets. The current doctrine utilized by the U.S. Army is that each soldier within the area has a tourniquet and is aware of the best way to use it. This has carried over to the civilian sector, the place law enforcement officials, firefighters, and EMTs routinely carry them. There are additionally an untold variety of faculties and companies throughout the nation which have trauma kits stockpiled with quite a few tourniquets in case of a dire emergency.

Perceive this: Tourniquets are usually not only for troopers and gunshot wounds. Vehicle accidents, athletic occasions, and residential enchancment tasks can all result in unexpected trauma the place a tourniquet can imply the distinction between life and loss of life. Whether or not you’re a soldier on the entrance strains or a well-prepared mother shuttling youngsters between actions, emergencies occur, and there’s one thing you are able to do about it. Be ready and enroll in a Cease the Bleed or Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) course to be taught the right method to management bleeding in a severely injured particular person.

Particular due to Guardian Revival and Medication in Unhealthy Locations for his or her technical help with this text.

North American Rescue Fight Software Tourniquet (C-A-T)

Colours:
Black, Blue, Orange

Dimension:
Packaged L 6 by W 2.4 by D 1.5 inches; open size 37.5 inches

Weight:
2.7 ounces

Worth:
$30

URL:
narescue.com

Notes
As one of many first fashionable tourniquets in the marketplace, that is the type the overwhelming majority of persons are accustomed to. Famous as the perfect pre-hospital tourniquet within the February 2008 complement of The Journal of Trauma, the patented C-A-T is a real one-handed tourniquet confirmed to be absolutely efficient by the U.S. Army’s Institute of Surgical Analysis. At present in Gen 7, this can be a windlass system the place you employ the keep on with wind up or tighten the tourniquet. The rotation tightening of the windlass provides you a mechanical benefit to use extra stress. As soon as the blood movement is occluded, the windlass is pressed right into a retaining clip to keep up stress. Be sure you purchase the real C-A-T product from a trusted retailer (not a third-party Amazon reseller). There are a variety of harmful counterfeits in the marketplace. The C-A-T is permitted by the Committee on Tactical Fight Casualty Care (CoTCCC) and carries NSN 6515-01-521-7976.

Professionals:

• The de-facto normal in tourniquets
• Nearly all tourniquet customers are skilled on this mannequin

Cons:

• Hook-and-loop attracts lint and may snag on different gear if left uncovered

TacMed Options SOF Tourniquet

Colours:
Black, Blue, Orange, Purple, Tan

Dimension:
Packaged L 5.5 by W 2 by D 1.75 inches; open size 44 inches

Weight:
3.7 ounces

Worth:
$31

URL:
tacmedsolutions.com

Notes
Designed by a Special Forces medic whereas on deployment to Afghanistan in 2003, the SOF-T is a well-refined tourniquet. It is a tried-and-true windlass design with a number of improved options. The primary is that the windlass is made out of aluminum, quite than polymer. It additionally has a buckle for quick utility round a limb, utilizing solely gross motor capabilities, versus rethreading a strap via a buckle. I discover it to be somewhat extra supple than many of the different tourniquets, which supplies it a pleasant really feel and is quieter than the hook-and-loop varieties when carried. It has seen adoption by many massive organizations together with NYPD, LAPD, and the American Purple Cross. I maintain this tourniquet as a part of my EDC. It’s CoTCCC permitted and is accessible for buy by the Division of Protection below NSN 6515-01-696-4522.

Professionals:

• Aluminum windlass
• Packs flat and lacks hook-and-loop, making it handy for on-body carry

Cons:

SAM Medical SAM XT Tourniquet

Colours:
Black, Blue, Orange

Dimension:
Packaged L 7.25 by W 2.5 by D 1.5 inches; open size 36 inches

Weight:
3.8 ounces

Worth:
$38

URL:
sammedical.com

Notes
The SAM XT is a windlass design tourniquet with an apparent bodily distinction, because the hook-and-loop strap has two rows of holes in it. These holes work along with the distinctive TRUFORCE buckle that’ll assist lock the strap in place when a predetermined quantity of drive is utilized. Whenever you pull the strap arduous sufficient, the buckle will lock into the holes. The tourniquet has really feel to it, not too stiff and never too mushy, I had no downside securing it one-handed. Anyone who has ever used the C-A-T or SOF-T will intuitively perceive the best way to use this tourniquet. It’s permitted by the CoTCCC and carries NSN 6515-01-670-2240.

Professionals:

• Aluminum windlass
• TRUFORCE buckle helps you realize when the strap is tight sufficient

Cons:

• The buckle makes it bulkier than most.

Fight Medical TMT

Colours:
Black

Dimension:
Packaged L 4.5 by W 2.5 by D 1.85 inches; open size 38 inches

Weight:
2.9 ounces

Worth:
$30

URL:
combatmedical.com

Notes
I discovered the TMT to be particularly difficult to use one-handed. On high of that, I discovered that should you twist the windlass counterclockwise, it’s counter-intuitive to get it into the retaining clip. As an alternative of letting the windlass settle again into the clip, like on all the opposite windlass tourniquets, you really need to push it ahead. This counter-intuitiveness can value you a variety of blood below stress. Moreover, when tightening the windlass in a clockwise path, you lose somewhat tightness. The Naval Medical Analysis Unit got here to the identical conclusion in 2015 on the clockwise tightening. The buckle is sweet, although. I anticipated to have to string the strap via it however discovered that’s not doable. As an alternative, you merely unhook the buckle. These points are simply remedied via correct coaching. It’s permitted by the CoTCCC and carries NSN 6515-01-656-6191.

Professionals:

• Easy windlass motion
• Quick to use as soon as skilled
• Extensive 2-inch band

Cons:

• I discovered it to be gradual and troublesome to safe one-handed.
• Not intuitive to make use of

RevMedx TX2 Tourniquet

Colours:
Tan

Dimension:
Packaged L 8.5 by W 2 by D 1.5 inches; open size 39 inches

Weight:
3.1 ounces

Worth:
$39

URL:
revmedx.com

A departure from the standard windlass design, the RevMedx TX2, and its large brother the TX3, make the most of a ratcheting mechanism to realize the ultimate tightening on the tourniquet. It’s lots like utilizing a ratchet strap — merely wrap it across the limb, pull tight, and begin ratcheting. Understanding how fantastically tight a ratchet strap can get, I had excessive hopes, and this tourniquet didn’t disappoint. The 1-inch-wide ratchet design works easily and the tourniquet could be left in service after utilizing it for coaching. The truth is, it’s inspired within the product literature. The two-inch-wide strap permits for higher bleeding management. The TX3 is one other inch wider and 21 inches longer, becoming even the burliest of individuals. A Naval Medical Analysis Unit examine discovered that the TX tourniquets outperformed the windlass-style tourniquets in a number of classes. Each are permitted by the CoTCCC and carry NSN 6515-01-667-6027 and 6208.

Professionals:

• Extensive 2-inch strap permits for higher bleeding management
• Handy ratcheting mechanism

Cons:

• No time tag on high of mechanism

m2 inc. Ratcheting Medical Tourniquet (RMT) Tactical

Colours:
Black, Tan

Dimension:
Packaged L 8.5 by W 1.5 by D 1.25 inches; open size 37.5 inches

Weight:
3.6 ounces

Worth:
$36

URL:
chinookmed.com

Notes
The Ratcheting Medical Tourniquet is made by m2 inc., a number one producer of industrial-strength mechanical closure applied sciences. Moreover this Thermo Plastic Ratcheting Buckle, in addition they make surgical, industrial, marine, and navy objects. The RMT is the cousin to the REV MED TX2 and TX3, however considerably smaller. The buckle is available in at ¾ inch, permitting it to be readily used on slender tourniquets. It additionally encompasses a tactical loop that doubles as a chew loop for simpler utility with one hand or gloves. Whereas that is the navy tactical tan model, it additionally is available in three civilian variations of XL, larger than 120 kilos, and fewer than 120 kilos (pediatric), in addition to three navy variations of tactical, paramedic, and 2-inch, with varied colours. It’s permitted by the CoTCCC and carries NSN 6515-01-527-3841.

Professionals:

• Versatile with quite a few application-specific variants
• Many colour and measurement selections

Cons:

• No time tag on high of mechanism

H&H Med Corp. SWAT-T

Colours:
Black, Blue, Orange

Dimension:
Packaged L 4.5 by W 3 by D 0.75 inches; open size 37.5 inches

Weight:
3.6 ounces

Worth:
$19

URL:
retailer.doomandbloom.web

Notes
The Stretch Wrap and Tuck Tourniquet is commonly disregarded as a result of it has by no means gotten CoTCCC approval. That stated, it does its job when correctly utilized. It’s a rubber strap with directions printed on one aspect. To use it, stretch the band firmly till the printed oval and diamond shapes stretch into circles and squares. That is how you realize you’re making use of it with sufficient drive to occlude blood movement. Wrap as many occasions as you possibly can and tuck the top in. For some, tucking the top in could be troublesome. An enormous upside is it’ll work simply as effectively on kids as adults. The SWAT-T will also be used to use stress to a packed wound, and can be utilized as a K9 tourniquet or sling. It really is the multi-tool of the tourniquet world. The SWAT-T comes packaged in a plastic pouch, with pre-cut tear notches each 2 inches on both sides. Even moist, it tears open readily with a two-handed grip or your tooth.

Professionals:

• Very reasonably priced
• Doubles as a stress dressing or perhaps a canine TQ

Cons:

• Not as straightforward to use one-handed
• Not CoTCCC permitted, making it extra of an “honorable point out” than a top-tier contender

Concerning the Writer

Joey Nickischer is a retired detective with the New York Metropolis Police Division. He at present works as a lead technical rescue teacher with a number of completely different corporations protecting subjects from wilderness search, excessive angle rope, mine rescue, and off-road operations. He serves as a staff chief with the Westchester County Technical Rescue Workforce and is the commander of the Putnam County Technical Rescue Workforce, in addition to serving as chief of division with the Patterson Hearth Division.

Written by Joey Nickischer