Emergency Tourniquet

WARNING: improper use of a tourniquet may result in permanent damage to nerves, blood vessels and tissue and might even cause the loss of limbs. Should only be used in absolute emergencies to stop severe bleeding of an extremity and only by people trained in how to use it.

This is an emergency tourniquet similar in design to the well-known C-A-T Tourniquet (“Combat Application Tourniquet”). Tourniquets are designed to apply pressure to a limb to restrict or stop the blood flow into it, thus helping in stopping blood loss after severe trauma.

This tourniquet consists of a looped band that can be closed tightly around an injured limb. The windlass rod then is twisted which further tensiones the band and applies pressure to said limb. This pressure constricts the blood flow into the limb to stop severe bleeding. It should only be used temporary and/or as a last-ditch effort in an absolute emergency.

How to use:

• Remove any clothing and insert the injured limb through the loop in the band 50 – 75mm above (away from the extremity towards the body) the injury. Apply the tourniquet directly to the skin, thick clothing could prevent the tourniquet from working properly.
• Pull the band tight and fasten it onto itself using the velcro. Don’t wrap it over the windlass as this will be needed in the next step.
• Twist the rod (both directions work) until the bleeding stops. Please note that this step will likely be painful for the patient. You can check for a pulse below the tourniquet, if there is a pulse, or the bleeding has not stopped consider further tightening.
• Secure the rod inside the clip and record the time of the application