Tourniqet

[MongooseDownUnder]

Just wanted to find out whether people carry tourniqets and what for? Seems to be quite common in a lot of northern hemisphere countries but I have never seen anyone carry one in Australia.
The only injury which I can imagine they would be great for is a femoral artery bleed, especially because in the time it would take to improvise one the patient could die, I also noticed they are actually a very leightweight first aid item.
So would love to hear people’s thoughts.

 

[odgens]

I carry a cat tourniquet, always been a part of my first aid kits. Used them a lot when i worked overseas, dealt with a lot of ballistic trauma/amputation and they were invaluable for this

 

[Totumpole]

I have seen patients saved by the use of an improvised tourniquet in some regional retrievals, but it is uncommon (and usually involved heavy machinary or large water based man eating creatures). Maybe I am missing the inside scoop on those that never made it to hospital because of the failure to provide or improvise a tourniquet in the time frame required. I personally wouldn't carry a specific tourniquet, but instead ensure I have at least 1 thing that is immediately available to improvise with. My go to would be a sturdy belt and a sturdy clamp to maintain tension. Whatever you use (or plan to use) should be a minimum of two inches wide to generate adequate deep pressure. I do not personally see the benefit to carrying a commercial tourniquet on my person because it serves only a single function, for an uncommon injury.

Having said that, I only really carry the appropriate clamps in my car based FAK/trauma kit, where the addition of a tourniquet wouldn't really make a weight or space issue anyway. The reason I carry a more comprehensive trauma FAK in my car is that I am more likely to come across the need to use it by road. In the scenario of a road traffic accident with mangled limbs, car seatbelts make excellent tourniquet material and, along with the trusty clamp, would be my go to over my belt (seeing as I don't carry commercial tourniquets). Maybe I will revisit the inclusion of at least one appropriate clamp in my pack for any journey on foot.

On another note, I would only ever recommend using a tourniquet (improvised or otherwise) if you are adequately trained in there use. If they are inappropriately applied (i.e. below the arterial blood pressure) they will in fact not stem arterial bleeding and make venous bleeding worse due to impeding venous drainage. High and tight, if it doesn't hurt like hell its not on tight enough. Be aware that bleeding may come on later as the persons condition improves due to a higher blood pressure that might overcome the previously adequate pressure exerted by the tourniquet.

From what I have seen, many Americans do seem to love carrying tourniquets in their FAK, but then they also frequently have a handgun in their daily carry...

 

[odgens]

Having said that, I only really carry the appropriate clamps in my car based FAK/trauma kit, where the addition of a tourniquet wouldn't really make a weight or space issue anyway. The reason I carry a more comprehensive trauma FAK in my car is that I am more likely to come across the need to use it by road. In the scenario of a road traffic accident with mangled limbs, car seatbelts make excellent tourniquet material and, along with the trusty clamp, would be my go to over my belt (seeing as I don't carry commercial tourniquets). Maybe I will revisit the inclusion of at least one appropriate clamp in my pack for any journey on foot.

Appreciate your input but can't say i really agree with this. In an car accident seat belts will not always be accessible, due to the nature of the accident or the condition of the car. The black colour of the belt also makes it hard to mark with application time of the tourniquet unless you've got a white marker. It also adds another step to what could be a very stressful time is life situation

Totally understand its a very rare injury which might need one of these to be applied but i wouldn't exclude it because its uncommon. I guess it also comes down to your situation and tailoring your FAK to suit.

On another note, I would only ever recommend using a tourniquet (improvised or otherwise) if you are adequately trained in there use. If they are inappropriately applied (i.e. below the arterial blood pressure) they will in fact not stem arterial bleeding and make venous bleeding worse due to impeding venous drainage. High and tight, if it doesn't hurt like hell its not on tight enough. Be aware that bleeding may come on later as the persons condition improves due to a higher blood pressure that might overcome the previously adequate pressure exerted by the tourniquet.

From what I have seen, many Americans do seem to love carrying tourniquets in their FAK, but then they also frequently have a handgun in their daily carry...

Agree with this 110%, like all first aid equipment...you need to be trained correctly unless you may end up doing more harm then good.

 

[MongooseDownUnder]

I think improvising a tourniqet is quite easy but is it likely to take too long when needed in the heat of the moment?
Just thought I would add most of the ones I looked at only weigh about 80g.

 

[Le Loup]

Just wanted to find out whether people carry tourniqets and what for? Seems to be quite common in a lot of northern hemisphere countries but I have never seen anyone carry one in Australia.
The only injury which I can imagine they would be great for is a femoral artery bleed, especially because in the time it would take to improvise one the patient could die, I also noticed they are actually a very leightweight first aid item.
So would love to hear people’s thoughts.

I think a bandage should work just fine as a tourniquet, & we should all be carrying bandages in our medical kits. I think a pressure pad/wound dressing & a bandage are probably a better option than just a tourniquet. I always carried a wound dressing in my pocket when on duty.
Keith.

 

[Randall]

If I needed a tourniquet, I'd want a tourniquet. You need a bucket load of pressure to stop an arterial bleed - it's really desperate stuff. I'd probably faint with blood spraying everywhere. I've seen how one needs to be applied - it's really full on trying to stop someone from bleeding out literally in a minute or less. This gives you an idea. No, I don't carry one. A roller bandage and dressings etc. A bandage and a stick or tactical pen might work (put the stick or tactical pen under the bandage and start twisting). It's all time though. Or lay the stick along the good part of the limb and bandage it up too, really tight, then twist the stick?

 

[Thrud]

I have a tourniquet in the car trauma kit, but don’t carry one out walking.

 

[Kindlling]

Good thing for surfers and beach goers to have , especially w.a south east.
A few lives been saved after shark attacks that way, amazing really how somebody can often be Jonny on the spot , with the right gear and medical know how.

 

[MongooseDownUnder]

Good thing for surfers and beach goers to have , especially w.a south east.
A few lives been saved after shark attacks that way, amazing really how somebody can often be Jonny on the spot , with the right gear and medical know how.

You can actually get a surfing leash designed to be used as a tourniqet

 

[Randall]

I think improvising a tourniqet is quite easy but is it likely to take too long when needed in the heat of the moment?
Just thought I would add most of the ones I looked at only weigh about 80g.

I'd be interested in something like that. I've only seen the cat ones, like odgen mentioned. They're awesome, but a bit of space when you already have a fair bit of gear.

 

[MongooseDownUnder]

It is the CAT tourniqet that only weighs 80grams, they don’t seem very bulky. Having a look online and apparently there are a lot of fake copies around so best to make sure you buy one from a reputable source.

 

[Bloffy13]

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I thought tourniquets were bad ju-ju due to toxic shock stuff. It would have to be something pretty extreme to need one, I think. There would probably be loss of limbs etc involved. Scary stuff indeed but not something you come across in the bush. Car accidents yes. Shark attacks possibly. But not in the bush, methinks.
Cheers
Bloffy

 

[MongooseDownUnder]

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I thought tourniquets were bad ju-ju due to toxic shock stuff. It would have to be something pretty extreme to need one, I think. There would probably be loss of limbs etc involved. Scary stuff indeed but not something you come across in the bush. Car accidents yes. Shark attacks possibly. But not in the bush, methinks.
Cheers
Bloffy

When in the bush with some people anything is possible, I actually bought one for when I go wood cutting as one slip with a 100cc chainsaw could be pretty life threatening.

 

[barefoot dave]

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I thought tourniquets were bad ju-ju due to toxic shock stuff. It would have to be something pretty extreme to need one, I think. There would probably be loss of limbs etc involved. Scary stuff indeed but not something you come across in the bush. Car accidents yes. Shark attacks possibly. But not in the bush, methinks.
Cheers
Bloffy

Bloffy, the middle East wars have reignited the need for battlefield use, and greater understanding, of them. Mines and IED tend to create hard to manage wounds. Their reintroduction to combat first aid has saved many lives. This experience has seen them come back into civilian use- Life over limb.

 

[Edward]

Just wanted to find out whether people carry tourniqets and what for? Seems to be quite common in a lot of northern hemisphere countries but I have never seen anyone carry one in Australia.
The only injury which I can imagine they would be great for is a femoral artery bleed, especially because in the time it would take to improvise one the patient could die, I also noticed they are actually a very leightweight first aid item.
So would love to hear people’s thoughts.

I want too, but haven't got one yet. The Israeli one is meant to be very good, or any other 'combat' version

I do carry a combat dressing though - Australian Army. I just strap it to my field first aid kit using a ranger band.

 

[MongooseDownUnder]

TacMed currently have 15% off bleeding control products with code NSTBM19
I have no affiliation just a satisfied customer.

 

[swampy99]

Oohhh I like a good tourniquet debate. As a paramedic and instructor in Advance wilderness life support the only real way to arrest a catastrophic bleed is with a proper cat or soft-t tourniquet. They are quick to deploy and use and you can teach a monkey to do it. Now as for the improvised one they are NO WAY CLOSE to arresting the bleed. They may slow but not arrest it. they will cause tissue damage as they are too thin, they take too long to deploy. it is like the point that using pressure points as indirect pressure for a bleed is now no longer really taught in first aid. it is direct pressure and a proper production made tourniquet. In trauma management it is taught that you tourniquet the limbs, wound pack the junctions, and seal the box (torso). Use an Israel field dressing as well as that gives direct pressure to the wound as well as the T. feed that clot and help it grow. QAS now use IDF dressings and SOFT-T tourniquets in it's trauma kits.

 

[serat]

i carry a soft t wide for legs. im more worried about an axe injury or chainsaw damage in the bush. I also have a rats for arms and their good for kids. yourve got what less than 2 mins to stop an arterial bleed. Id like to see anyone try and make an improvised tourniquet in that time under stress. Ive never had to use one in the bush but have seen enough blood pissing out of people to now carry one

 

[Randall]

i carry a soft t wide for legs. im more worried about an axe injury or chainsaw damage in the bush. I also have a rats for arms and their good for kids. yourve got what less than 2 mins to stop an arterial bleed. Id like to see anyone try and make an improvised tourniquet in that time under stress. Ive never had to use one in the bush but have seen enough blood pissing out of people to now carry one

Yeah - that sort of thing gives me the willies. I had a little squirter on my shin once - spurting out with the beat of my heart, compliments of a pedal strike - pedals with particularly aggressive pins . A bandage stopped it, but that was a vein, not an artery.

I remember seeing this video; geez, it makes you think about doing stuff alone, which is mostly me.