The tourniquet a device that is used to apply pressure to a limb or extremity in order to limit – but not stop – the flow of blood.There are 3 types of tourniquet based on the setting it is used. These are clinical tourniquet , surgical tourniquet, and emergency tourniquet. All of which have different characteristics that make them appropriate for the event that they are used.Different tourniquets are designed for different medical situations.
Clinical Tourniquet
Clinical tourniquets are simple elastic bands used in the hospital for diagnostic and interventional purposes. It is most commonly used in peripheral intravenous access insertion and blood extraction. These are low tension and are not suitable for immediately stopping arterial bleeding.
Surgical Tourniquets
Surgical tourniquets are used during routine surgical procedures to diminish the amount of blood in the part of the body where the surgical procedure is taking place. They are not used for all surgical procedures and are most commonly used when a limb such as an arm or leg is the location of the surgery.
Emergency Tourniquet
Emergency tourniquets are the ones issued to military medics, paramedics, rescue personnel, and is often stocked by survivalist and preppers. These are lightweight, sturdy, and durable bands or strap capable of stopping arterial bleeding and boast the second-fastest setup time, second only to the clinical tourniquets. Although the clinical tourniquets can be set up the fastest, it is useless in an emergency setting when a profuse bleed needs to be stopped immediately.
Tourniquet Emergencies
Any number of injuries can lead to profuse bleeding or the need to restrict blood flow requiring the use of a tourniquet including:
- Gunshot wounds
- Deep, lacerating cuts
- Deep punctures
- Automobile accidents
- Farm and construction accidents
- Snakebite
- Compound fractures
Combat Tourniquet
The Combat Tourniquet is a hemorrhage control device specifically designed for massive hemorrhage control of an extremity. It is a small and lightweight arterial tourniquet that completely occludes blood flow in an extremity. Used for the treatment of life-threatening bleeding, the Tourniquet uses a Self-Adhering Band and a Friction Adaptor Buckle to fit a wide range of extremities combined with a one-handed windlass system. The windlass uses a free moving internal band to provide true circumferential pressure to an extremity. The windlass is then locked in place; this requires only one hand, with the Windlass Clip. The Tactical Tourniquet also has a Hook-and-Loop Windlass Strap for further securing of the windlass during patient transport.It is one of the officially approved tourniquets used by the US Military, and also one of the oldest emergency tourniquets used by soldiers. It is a closed-loop, one-handed tourniquet, tightened with a windlass mechanism.
