Whether you’re out in the wild or simply working with power tools at home, having a first aid kit close by is always a good idea. If you happen to cut yourself by accident, an emergency kit will help you contain the flow of blood and avoid a life-threatening situation.
For this reason, having tourniquets in first aid kits should be a no-brainer. They provide a fast one-handed and two-handed application and allow efficient bleeding control. Their sturdy innovative designs are extensively researched and tested, resulting in lightweight and easy-to-use medical devices.
When to Use an Emergency Tourniquet?
An emergency tourniquet should be used when direct pressure and other methods are ineffective in stopping severe bleeding. If the flow of blood cannot be controlled, it will likely lead to death within minutes.
Tourniquets are typically used on limbs to apply pressure and stop the flow of blood. The strap is tightened around the limb until the bleeding stops. By applying pressure to the arteries, these devices can effectively control blood loss.
Most people think that tourniquets in first aid kits should only be used as a last resort. However, this is not always the case. If you’re dealing with a life-threatening situation, every second counts. Having a tourniquet on hand can be the difference between life and death.
What’s the Procedure in an Emergency Situation?
A tourniquet is an essential item in a well-equipped first aid kit that anyone can apply. You don’t need any formal, specialized medical training or certification, but you do need to know how to use one.
In any emergency, phoning 000 to notify first responses should be your first move. If you are with someone else, give them the responsibility of calling the emergency number while you respond to the wounded individual.
These first aid devices are primarily designed for limb injuries and you shouldn’t use them to head injuries. Applying pressure with a substance that absorbs blood to a head or torso injury is necessary to slow down or stop the bleeding.
Your objective in using a tourniquet is to limit blood flow to the damaged limb to stop potentially fatal blood loss. Although cutting off the blood flow to the limb temporarily, if done properly, it will slow or halt the bleeding long enough for emergency personnel to reach the site. Generally speaking, there are three main steps when using this emergency medical device:
Look for the Source
You need to determine the source of the bleeding before you start applying the device. It could be clear in some circumstances; however, with certain injuries, it might be trickier to spot the source, particularly if there’s wreckage, torn clothes, or other things in the way.
The injured person should lie down so that you’re able to examine them completely. You must locate the cause of the bleeding as soon as you can, so try to maintain your composure and concentration.
Apply Pressure
After identifying the source, start by directly pressing on the cut to stop the bleeding. In case the bleeding doesn’t stop or slow down, you will need to use a tourniquet. If they’re alert, inform the victim of your intention to apply the device.
Unfortunately, putting on this medical device is extremely painful, and the victim is already in discomfort. Make sure to inform them that while putting it on will hurt, it may also save their life. The next thing to do is to get rid of any clothing that is close to the wound, as it’s necessary to apply the device on bare skin.
Place the Tourniquet
The next step is to place the tourniquet above the wound, as close to the victim’s heart as possible. The general rule is that it should be a few centimeters above the injury. It’s essential to make sure that you don’t place it on top of any joints, as this might cause more damage.
If the bleeding is coming from an arm, place the device on the upper arm, close to the shoulder. For a leg wound, put it on the upper thigh as close to the hip as possible.
Next, tighten the device by pulling on the free end and tying it off. You can use a windlass, a stick, or your own hand to pull the tourniquet tighter. Make sure that it’s not too tight, as this might cause tissue damage. Don’t make it too loose either, as this won’t be effective in stopping the bleeding.
Once you have applied the device, check the pulse on the side of the limb that’s farthest from the tourniquet. There should be no pulse present. If there is, you need to make the device tighter. If you can’t find a pulse, it might mean that you have applied the device too tightly, and you will need to loosen it a bit.
The maximum amount of time that you should leave a tourniquet in place is two hours. After that, there’s a risk of tissue death, which could lead to the loss of the limb. If emergency services haven’t arrived after two hours, you will need to release the device for a minute to restore circulation and then reapply it.