Correctly using a tourniquet may save a life by halting or delaying bleeding until 911 emergency aid arrives. Tourniquets are bands wrapped around an arm or leg when bleeding becomes uncontrolled because of a serious wound such as a gunshot, stabbing, or heavy equipment accident.
Tourniquets from Sam Medical should ideally be administered by first responders with emergency first aid training. However, there are situations when waiting isn't an option, and understanding how and when to use a tourniquet might be the difference between life and death.
This post explains when (and when not) to use tourniquets and how to properly administer this necessary first-aid equipment.
When Should You Use a Tourniquet?
When all other methods of stopping bleeding have been exhausted, tourniquets are used. This involves lifting the leg above the heart for 15 minutes and putting direct pressure on the incision to enable a clot to form. If everything else fails, a tourniquet may be the only alternative.
A tourniquet aims to prevent life-threatening blood loss by restricting blood flow to the damaged limb. It is designed as a stopgap solution to give you time while you await emergency assistance.
The choice to employ a tourniquet must be made immediately. However, it is crucial to understand that a tourniquet is not an option to stop the bleeding; it is used as a last resort when the bleeding is uncontrolled, and the danger of death is significant.
The following situations may necessitate the use of a tourniquet:
- Car accidents resulting in severe crush or blunt force injuries
- Wounds from a gunshot
- Stabbings and deep wounds or lacerations
- Limbs that have been crushed or severed
When to Avoid Using a Tourniquet
Tourniquets should only be used for limb injuries, not head or torso injuries. head or torso injuries need direct pressure with a cloth/fabric to help slow or stop bleeding until the paramedics arrive.
What Materials Are Tourniquets Made Of?
You can access a commercial tourniquet if you are an emergency medical practitioner. If you are a bystander in an accident, you must improvise and create a temporary tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
Commercial tourniquets are often not included in home first aid kits because of the significant risk of abuse. Nonetheless, commercial tourniquets, such as classic windlass, ratchet, and dial-tightening, are available.
According to studies, makeshift tourniquets are successful up to 60% of the time. While this may not be comforting, in a life-or-death scenario, the probability of action may exceed the danger of doing nothing.
A homemade tourniquet is made up of two parts:
1. A bandage: Any piece of fabric at least 1.5 to 3 inches wide that overlaps when wrapped around the limb will suffice. The fabric should be strong and flexible but not overly slick or stretchy. A bandage, cloth, or even a T-shirt may suffice.
2. A windlass is a rod or stick used to tighten the tourniquet. It must be strong enough not to snap when twisting. You can get a strong stick, a set of chopsticks, a screwdriver, or a thick spoon handle.
What to Avoid
Belts are unsuitable for tourniquets because they are too inflexible to be securely twisted. Scarves and ties made of synthetic or silk are excessively slick and quickly come undone. Zip ties and ropes are also not recommended since they may injure blood vessels and nerves.
Pencils and pens are unsuitable for windlasses because they readily shatter when twisted.
You don't need to be a doctor or healthcare practitioner to use a tourniquet in an emergency, but it's advisable to know how to use one properly.
In every emergency, the first step is to dial 911. If you are with someone else, have them contact 911 while you take quick action.
Use universal measures to minimize your exposure to blood if possible. If personal protective equipment (such as gloves and masks) is available, put it on before administering first aid.
How To Use A Tourniquet The Right Way
Step 1: Determine the Cause of the Bleeding
Allow the wounded individual to lie down if at all possible. This can help you discover the specific cause of the bleeding as fast as possible.
If 911 is on the line, put them on speaker phone so you can keep them up to date on your activities, and they can assist you in making the best judgments possible.
Step 2: Apply Force
Apply direct pressure to the wound after you've located the source of the bleeding. If the bleeding does not considerably slow or cease after 15 minutes of continuous pressure, a tourniquet must be found or made.
Tell the wounded person what you plan to do if they are awake and conscious. They must understand that the procedure may be exceedingly painful but that the goal is to preserve their limbs and their lives.
Step 3: Place the Tourniquet
Because the tourniquet must be placed on bare skin, all clothes surrounding the wound must be cut, torn, or removed.
The tourniquet should next be placed several inches above the injury, closest to the heart. For example, tie the tourniquet above the elbow if the damage is below the elbow. Never apply a tourniquet directly to a joint since this might result in irreversible nerve, joint, or blood vessel damage.
Use a standard square knot to wrap the tourniquet around the limb. This is accomplished by tying the cloth like a shoelace but without a bow.
Step 4: Install a Windlass
Take the item you wish to use as a windlass next. Place the windlass on top of the square knot you made, then wrap the tourniquet's loose ends around it with another square knot.
Step 5: Squeeze the Tourniquet
Twist the windlass you've made to tighten the tourniquet around the bleeding limb. Keep an eye on the bleeding and record when it begins to stop. Twist until the bleeding has ceased or has been greatly reduced.
When the bleeding has stopped, tie one or both ends of the windlass to the wounded person's arm or leg.
Tourniquets cannot be used for more than two hours at a time.
Take note of the time you applied the tourniquet. You may accomplish this by writing a "T" with the date and time on the person's forehead or another visible location. This will assist emergency personnel in knowing what to do when they arrive.
Do not attempt to remove a tourniquet.
Anyone other than a healthcare practitioner in the emergency room should never loosen or remove a tourniquet.
