SOF Tactical Tourniquet
Tourniquets are a front line tool to stop life threatening bleeding. Tourniquets are simple to use but it is still crucial to integrate training to use them in CPR and First Aid training. The American Heart Association and the Red Cross do train responders to use tourniquets in bleeding emergencies. There are a few common types of tourniquets responders should know how to use. The tips and video below will help refresh your training. The SOF Tactical tourniquet is one of several brand names of tourniquets. Georgia CPR recommends a quality first aid kit like the True First Aid kit, which includes the SOF Tactical Tourniquet. Check your first aid kit to make sure the contents include items that will actually help in a true emergency. Most first aid kits are lacking in substantive items needed in a true emergency.
This tourniquet, the SOF Tactical Tourniquet, has great features and will last indefinitely; there are no expiration dates and have metal and thick nylon webbing features. The most significant feature in the SOF Tactical tourniquet is the clip. This clip can be unhinged so that the tourniquet can be wrapped around the patient’s arm or leg without unthreading and re-threading the belt. Under stress, it is important to limit the fine motor skills required to apply the device.
This is when to use a tourniquet
The following are reasons to use a tourniquet:
- Severe bleeding from an arm or leg
- Bleeding is life threatening
- Bleeding is uncontrollable with direct pressure
- The source of bleeding can not be reached
Severe bleeding is what kills the majority of car accident fatalities. Severe bleeding is also what kills the majority of gunshot wound victims. The use of a tourniquet is a simple tool that saves countless lives on our roads and in all too common shooting incidents. There are few risks when a tourniquet is used, because if it is not used, the alternative is worse.
How to use a SOF Tactical Tourniquet
A tourniquet is simply a belt that keeps blood away from an injury. The following are the steps to use a SOF Tactical Tourniquet:
- Slide or loop the tourniquet past the injury about 2-3 inches
- Hold the winless in one hand and wrap the belt around the other hand and vigorously tighten the tourniquet. Tighten the tourniquet as tight as you can
- Use the winless, which is the metal crank, to further tighten the tourniquet until the blood stops flowing
- Secure the end of the winless into the triangular securing bracket
- Mark the time on the tourniquet belt or other available location
More tips on how to use a SOF Tactical Tourniquet
Here are some more tips on how to use this tourniquet:
- Do not remove the tourniquet. Tourniquets are painful. Your patient will not be happy. Support them as best you can with words of support
- Make sure to tighten the tourniquet belt before using the winless. Starting with a tight belt is crucial
- You know when to stop cranking the winless when the bleeding stops. This is the only sign to stop cranking
The proper equipment and quality training with Georgia CPR will improve your skills and abilities to save a life in an emergency.