Thread: First aid kit pics

Originally Posted by Cordite

Combat Action Tourniquets are frankly painful to apply properly, it is not because of them shutting down the blood supply (well, that too) but because they are very narrow and so have to be tighter around the limb to achieve compression of the artery. If you can get hold of a Blood Pressure cuff with an inflator, it will do the same job but with a lot less pain. But direct pressure and elevation of the bleeding limb is the go-to-first option.

I've never used a BP cuff as a tourniquet, but having taken as many blood pressures as I have with them, I can tell you that it's really common for them to slowly leak air even when the nut is fully tightened. CATs are a much lower maintenance solution, and more idiot-proof. I think generally if you're bleeding enough to warrant one, the pain involved with a CAT is neither here nor there.

Originally Posted by Solo

I've never used a BP cuff as a tourniquet, but having taken as many blood pressures as I have with them, I can tell you that it's really common for them to slowly leak air even when the nut is fully tightened. CATs are a much lower maintenance solution, and more idiot-proof. I think generally if you're bleeding enough to warrant one, the pain involved with a CAT is neither here nor there.

I typed out a very similar reply to this a few times but deleted it.
I agree completely, use something that is designed for the job, and learn how to use one correctly. Sure, a pneumatic tourniquet such as the ones used in a hospital may be okay, but your normal BP cuff is bound to cause problems. Plus, who wants to carry a BP cuff around the bush???

@Solo

Originally Posted by Solo

I've never used a BP cuff as a tourniquet, but having taken as many blood pressures as I have with them, I can tell you that it's really common for them to slowly leak air even when the nut is fully tightened. CATs are a much lower maintenance solution, and more idiot-proof. I think generally if you're bleeding enough to warrant one, the pain involved with a CAT is neither here nor there.

@Solo

You're right about the slow leak. I've come across this in many manual tourniquets, I've wondered if some makers do it on on purpose for obvious reasons, e.g. nurse gets called away for emergency while doing a BP on unconscious person. O-:

Forgot the other reason for a wider cuff, which is concern over soft tissue crush damage, esp. to nerves. Not sure if that is just because of using a narrow tourniquet or if it is from applying it unduly tight. It doesn't require much pressure to stop bleeding if someone already is hypotensive from blood loss.

The multi utility duct tape mentioned above can also be used, even a length of rope - just apply it fairly tight in successive overlapping or adjacent turns, until bleeding stops.

Originally Posted by Sonicjoe

I typed out a very similar reply to this a few times but deleted it.
I agree completely, use something that is designed for the job, and learn how to use one correctly. Sure, a pneumatic tourniquet such as the ones used in a hospital may be okay, but your normal BP cuff is bound to cause problems. Plus, who wants to carry a BP cuff around the bush???

@Sonicjoe

The BP cuff is of course a tourniquet. It works by stopping arterial blood flow into a limb by applying even pressure round a limb, compressing arteries against bones. As for the weight problem, yes, good reason to stick to CAT and pack that gaffer tape. In my case the BP cuff lives in my big medical carry kit along with Israeli bandages etc. but I don't have a CAT.

Speaking of inflatable tourniquets... THESE babies are a promising development with lifesaving potential for gunshot injuries. Who would not carry one of these in the bush if they owned one?



Click on image for Stars and Stripes "Gamechanger" article. Models used for this image, but sorry for showing all that blood.

I could see Solo ending up routinely carrying one in his ambulance, though some might argue it is only helpful for injuries that people die off before ambulances can get to them. In essence it's large/thigh BP cuff glued inside the front of a boxing champ's belt and on inflation delivers pressure in the umbilical area, compressing the descending aorta against the spine.

Academic paper in PDF form which interestingly mentions "forgotten" techniques of resting knee with almost full body weight on umbilical area of victims to arrest pelvic bleeds such as in obstetric emergencies, or if an entire lower limb or both are pulled off or a gunshot is above the limb and a CAT has no place to go. The aortic tourniquet can also be applied to press into the shoulder socket area if entire upper limb is pulled/shot off and CAT/Israeli won't do.

Video Warning! Some actual bleeding included, don't click if you are squeamish.


Quiz: Who can tell why the Medic's two stars n stripes shoulder badges are mirror imaged?

Originally Posted by Cordite

I could see Solo ending up routinely carrying one in his ambulance, though some might argue it is only helpful for injuries that people die off before ambulances can get to them.

I've actually seen people advocate junctional tourniquets for cardiac arrest. Essentially, disconnecting the legs gives you a smaller circuit to work with during CPR.

Originally Posted by Solo

I've actually seen people advocate junctional tourniquets for cardiac arrest. Essentially, disconnecting the legs gives you a smaller circuit to work with during CPR.

@Solo

That's true genius - as clever as it is simple. I wonder how much these things cost.

Problem might be in a really obese person where the abdominal fat is already compressing the lungs, if adding external abdominal pressure to that one would need to have the victim intubated or else no effective 'P' in CPR. Elevating the lower limbs could achieve some of the same effect, but not with such a clear-cut effect.

Originally Posted by Cordite

@Solo

That's true genius - as clever as it is simple. I wonder how much these things cost.

Problem might be in a really obese person where the abdominal fat is already compressing the lungs, if adding external abdominal pressure to that one would need to have the victim intubated or else no effective 'P' in CPR. Elevating the lower limbs could achieve some of the same effect, but not with such a clear-cut effect.

I think we are moving away from first aid kit and onto medic kit now - huge difference between the two!

Originally Posted by terryf

I think we are moving away from first aid kit and onto medic kit now - huge difference between the two!

Do we need a new thread....

Originally Posted by 223nut

Do we need a new thread....

haha, quite possibly