Tourniquet

[Glock619]

Glad to see so many comments. I learned today that san Diego sheriff's department is issuing them to patrol officers. Haven't confirmed it yet.

Research I found on quikclot didn't really deter me. Major complaints were the misuse of it and difficulty of cleaning once in the o.r.

[KABA556]

Glad to see so many comments. I learned today that san Diego sheriff's department is issuing them to patrol officers. Haven't confirmed it yet.

Research I found on quikclot didn't really deter me. Major complaints were the misuse of it and difficulty of cleaning once in the o.r.

I believe they resolved a lot of the problems with cleaning by switching to quikclot gauze and a quikclot sponge as opposed to the original granules/powder that were dumped/poured into and over the wound.

[Oliver_Charles]

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[SMarquez]

CAT. I'd have more than one on hand. It's common to have multiple areas of trauma in a shooting.
Practice. There are plenty of vids online that teach placement and what to look for.
There is a crowd that is opposed to the CAT also, claiming that people lose limbs as a result of tourniquet use needlessly.
To each their own. I go CAT. Have some Israeli Bandages and blow out patches on hand in the kit.

All the data our department used was based on current military research. There are cases up to 8 hours use without nerve or circulatory complications.

Also not a LEO. Retired fire captain and 30 year street doctor.

[Gnome]

All the data our department used was based on current military research. There are cases up to 8 hours use without nerve or circulatory complications.

Also not a LEO. Retired fire captain and 30 year street doctor.

S. Marquez is correct...

I'm currently in CPR/First Aid Instructor school at STARS Center (lame!). Was voluntold to attend. We just talked about tourniquets.

Old school thinking was "Do not apply tourniquet unless you've given up on limb and are willing to lose it.". Because of the real world tests that have gone on due to Iraq/Afghanistan, doctors now know tourniquets are instrumental in saving lives. They can and have been applied for hours with no loss of limb.

What they do recommend is make sure the tourniquet is AT LEAST one to one and a half inches in with. Anything narrower may cause nerve damage at the applied site. Nerve damage is not correctable.

[JM2012]

I keep a CAT and packgeof QuikClot combat gauze in my vest pouch. Doesn't bulge noticeably, and I always have it with me. I used to carry it in my duty bag, then I realized it doesn't do me any good if I get shot anywhere other than right next to my car.

[evilbisquit]

Rules for use of a tourniquet. I see alot of SWAT guys at the academy carry these. Incase you don't how to use them here some tips:

1) Apply proximal ( above) injury site
2) Never apply on joints
3) write the time and date applied.
4) Can only be used for 2-4 hours, before tissue below becomes hypoxic


Femur you can bleed out 1.5 -2 ml of blood, so take care of that wound fast.

This is old information and multiple documented cases (such as this one)have tourniquets in place up to 16 hours and anecdotal cases of up to 32 hours with no long term damage.

I personally dislike the CAT. A plastic, overlong windlass and velcro strap are not ideal (try applying it with mud and blood on the velcro...). My current IFAK has a SOFT-T on each side and a SWATT inside. Two is one, one is none, and three is operator.

And also, your femoral can bleed out ALL of your blood.

[Dee_Dub]

Remember guys you only need to apply a tourniquet if you cant control bleeding. For example direct pressure, elevate, pressure points. I've seen a few GSW, some single some multiple and even a few amputations. I would stress only placing one of these devices if you cant control bleeding.

[Tacit Blue]

This is old information and multiple documented cases (such as this one)have tourniquets in place up to 16 hours and anecdotal cases of up to 32 hours with no long term damage.

I personally dislike the CAT. A plastic, overlong windlass and velcro strap are not ideal (try applying it with mud and blood on the velcro...). My current IFAK has a SOFT-T on each side and a SWATT inside. Two is one, one is none, and three is operator.

And also, your femoral can bleed out ALL of your blood.

I'll have to look into that study. That information is from 2007, all I know is that goes against the ischemic index 4-6 hours.Paramedics dont usually encounter patients with tourinquets on for 32 hours. Were supposed to load and go within 10 mins on scene.

Ill check into it at the fire academy tomorrow. We have a very knowledgeable RN there. With 30 years shes seen it all.

Edit, the study was Marine in combat. In those comditions that make sense, but I think it's a rarity.

[Gnome]

Remember guys you only need to apply a tourniquet if you cant control bleeding.

I think that goes without saying...

[CaptMike]

They save lives

[Dee_Dub]

I think that goes without saying...

I've had a few guys apply one when not needed... Just trying to help.

[Petro6golf]

I carry three. One on my patrol vest, another in my patrol bag and one in a go bag. Go to Officersurvivalsolutions.com and check em out. Good company with decent products.

[CaptMike]

I carry one for now but will pick a couple more to add to my kit

[Gun_Smoke]

I’m a huge proponent of these, perfect for 1 handed operation.

The huge problem with these is the velcro when mixed with blood/dirt doesn't adhere well. I have also seen those handles break on more than one occasion.

The soft t wide are much better and can be more easily applied and don't slip off.

*I am not an leo I am active military and have been through live tissue course as well as real world use of these.