Emergency tourniquets are cuff-like devices designed to stop severe traumatic bleeding before or during transport to a care facility. They are wrapped around the limb, proximal to the site of trauma, and tightened until all blood vessels underneath are occluded. The design and construction of emergency tourniquets allows quick application by first aid responders or the injured persons themselves.[1] Correct use of tourniquet devices has been shown to save lives under austere conditions with comparatively low risk of injury. In field trials, prompt application of emergency tourniquets before the patient goes into shock are associated with higher survival rates than any other scenario where tourniquets were used later or not at all.[2][3]
- ^ Walters TJ, Wenke JC, Kauvar DS, McManus JG, Holcomb JB, Baer DG (2005). "Effectiveness of self-applied tourniquets in human volunteers". Prehospital Emergency Care. 9 (4). Informa Healthcare: 416–422. doi:10.1080/10903120500255123. PMID 16263675. S2CID 23392555.
- ^ Kragh JF, Walters TJ, Baer DG, Fox CJ, Wade CE, Salinas J, Holcomb JB (February 2008). "Practical use of emergency tourniquets to stop bleeding in major limb trauma". The Journal of Trauma. 64 (2 Suppl). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: S38–S50. doi:10.1097/TA.0b013e31816086b1. PMID 18376170.
- ^ Kragh JF, Walters TJ, Baer DG, Fox CJ, Wade CE, Salinas J, Holcomb JB (January 2009). "Survival with emergency tourniquet use to stop bleeding in major limb trauma". Annals of Surgery. 249 (1). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: 1–7. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e31818842ba. PMID 19106667. S2CID 42907438.