Tourniquet question...

[uxb]

The President of our Search Dog Team is a Physician's Assistant for a neuro-surgeon. His brother is returning this weekend from Iraq (Marine, 24th MEU).

His brother says some of the special op medics were using a "one-handed tourniquet" when starting IVs, etc...

It sounds from the description like a cinch-type tourniquet.

Does anyone here have experience with these? We would be interested in acquiring some for our SAR team if anyone knows a source, or even what they are called.

Any help would be appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,

UXB

[Sneaky SF Dude]

Lightfighter has a medical forum where this has been discussed at length

[uxb]

Sneaky SF Dude,

Thanks for the response and the lead...going to Lightfighter now.

uxb

[Diamond Dave]

Just don't use in around your neck! Gives me a headache!

[themadmedic]

no "apostrophe s" in Physician Assistant:cool:

Seriously though, is he 'practicing his craft' in prehospital medicine with your SAR group? If so-I would like to talk to him about exchanging some notes:)

[uxb]

TheMadMedic:

Physician Assistant - I stand corrected and have knocked out an appropriate number of push-ups! :)

Won't make that mistake again.

Seriously, Chris works for a neurosurgeon and is very skilled. Almost everyone on the team is prior military, LEO, or involved in the medical field in some capacity.

I'm sure he would be happy to exchange notes with you, though most of us know basics (several EMTs and paramedics on the team also) and he just happens to be the most qualified of the team.

We also try to have sufficient resources for our search dogs if the case is warranted, and we also have a member that is a vet. That's veterinarian, not veteran. ;)

Email if you would like contact info and information about our SAR team...

[uxb]

Quote from Diamond Dave:

Just don't use in around your neck! Gives me a headache!

I actually perform a procedure to check for brain death via injecting a radioactive tracer into the bloodstream. This checks perfusion to the brain and, as dictated by protocols, we place a tourniquet around the head to reduce superficial blood flow to the scalp.

Never done one around the neck, though.

[Sneaky SF Dude]

http://www.dcmilitary.com/army/standard/newspics/1080_oht1.jpg

Is this the one you're talking about. Try TacticalForums.com as well. they've discussed it too.

Doc, have you had a chance to play with these yet?

[RsovRanger]

I have tried using them, they're alright but you have to yank the everliving shit out of them for them to cut off blood flow. the ratchet style ones that we use are much better, and we're R&D'ing a composite one to cut the weight down from a full pound of metal to something much lighter and just as sturdy.

[uxb]

Sneaky SF Dude.

Sorry for the delay in responding, but been off station. Checked out Lightfighter and got a link to the "ratchet-type" tourniquet. My only concern was the width was one inch, and I would prefer at least two inches to minimize tissue damage. Maybe some field mods will be in order...Going to Tactiacal Forums.com in the a.m.

RsovRanger, I would be interested in hearing more details about your tourniquet as R&D progresses. Sounds promising.

Thanks for all your input, guys. I greatly appreciate it.

uxb

[RsovRanger]

our ratchet ones you just probably saw are field tested, combat approved. they do the job without any problems. Tissue damage, wow.. you're putting on a tournequit.. come on. you're saving a life. Yeah, prevent further harm, but in all reality your buddy is bleeding out. I think he'll get over a bruise.

[uxb]

Rsov Ranger,

Roger that...

uxb

[Doc]

Originally posted by Sneaky SF Dude
http://www.dcmilitary.com/army/standard/newspics/1080_oht1.jpg

Is this the one you're talking about. Try TacticalForums.com as well. they've discussed it too.

Doc, have you had a chance to play with these yet?

Rog-O!

Slap em on and move out!

[Sneaky SF Dude]

So you recommend it?

[Doc]

Originally posted by Sneaky SF Dude
So you recommend it?

The ones that can be applied with one good hand and arm. Yep. The particular model you showed I have not worked with. Sorry for the confusion.

[troy2k]

You know, I've seen a couple attempts to market these things to SOF, and the ones I played with were unimpressive. What did impress me was our crusty-ass BN medic who tied an end-of-line bolin knot in a cravat, formed a girth hitch with same, and stopped arterial blood flow with about the same effort as these "1-handers" require.