When I was originally learning first aid all those years ago (First Aid Merit Badge, FTW!), I learned about the tourniquet. I learned of it uses, but also its dangers. I was warned that misapplication could cause loss of limb. For many people, the tourniquet still has the stigma of dangerous first aid. It’s time to retrain and realize that proper, safe tourniquets and trained application can save lives. Read below why you should add one to your home or car first aid kit.
Tourniquets: An About Face
When you think of a tourniquet, you probably envision some strip of cloth torn off a shirt or dress or a length of rope. Once tied tight, a stick or other item is tied on and it’s turned until the bleeding stops. In other words, you envision an impromptu tourniquet. Those tourniquets are still quite dangerous; useful to save a life, but dangerous for loss of limb. Modern, pre-fabricated and proper tourniquets offer all the life-saving properties with reduced risk.
All About Width
The ad-hoc tourniquet described above is what has given them the bad reputation it’s had for years. These “in-field” applications have one major, glaring issue that causes them to get the “limb killer” moniker: width. Over the years, doctors have learned that the width of the tourniquet is critical for saving the limb after applicable surgery has fixed the wound. When too narrow, all the force needed to stop the arterial bleeding is applied in a very narrow channel. This channel becomes damaged and fused, causes blood flow to not be continued when the tourniquet is removed. Modern emergency or “combat application” tourniquets are wider, typically 1.5″ (3.8 cm) wide or wider. This spreads the force over a wider area, which does not damage the arteries.
So? Losing a Limb vs Losing a Life
Yes, I understand the argument: I’d rather live and lose my arm than die. Absolutely. But the best choice is live AND to keep the limb. And all that’s needed for that is proper application of a modern wide tourniquet.
Not Convinced?
Still don’t believe that a tourniquet should be in your first aid kit? Try this: the American Red Cross themselves have started an education campaign. They have their own variant of the “safe” tourniquet that they sell. The website also includes a great tutorial on usage.
When to Use a Tourniquet
Tourniquets are used only on arterial wounds in the limbs. Bright red, pulsing blood with large blood flow indicates an arterial severing. Darker and slower bleeding indicates a cut of veins or capillaries, and for those the standard practice of applied pressure is required. If it looks like a lot of blood is being lost fast, odds are it’s arterial and it’s time to get out the tourniquet.