Tourniquets

[Mac66]

I've been going through my FAKs in all my vehicles and setting up new ones for my UTV and my tractor. I use my chain saw and machete, axe and other sharp objects, not to mention my guns when up at the woods house frequently. I realized that it probably would be a good idea to have at least a couple TQs in each of my FAKs. If you get gun shot or injured in a accident it could involve more than one limb.

You can buy multipaks of TQs on Amazon for as little as $4-5 ea.



On the other hand since I've never had to use one I was looking at cheaper alternatives one being disposable TQs. Disposable TQs are basically elastic bands that you tie off a limb with. In multi packs you can buy them for as little as $.30/ea

Buying them in packs of 25 or 50 would allow you to have at least a couple in all your FAKs. Since I have 7 or 8 vehicles (truck, SUV, tractor, ATV, UTV, 3 minibikes not counting bicyles and a riding lawmower, a couple workshops and a bunch more FAKs in packs and go bags it might be a good idea to buy a bunch of them.

This is what I found...



I realize these are what they use for blood testing etc but why not for injuries? Does the same thing as a "real" tourniquet.

What do you think? Disposable TQs or regular ones?

[bdcochran]

Can't tell you what to do. I have the actual tourniquets . . . and they are expensive.

I ordered 6 "first aid kits" this a.m. $15 each. Not really what I would call "first aid kits"' more like bandaid kits. Why?

I have $90 a quarter from my HMO to spend on over the counter junk. Of course it is a come-on and everything is overpriced compared to Costco. The vitamins are not the ones recommended by the doctor. However, I have relatives who need a little something in each car and at home. So, the "first aid" kits will join the Israeli bandages with blood stop for distribution. Within the next six months I will have oximeters and additional blood pressure machines. If the kids don't want them, I will donate them to a low income medical charity.

[Bmyers]

The disposable ones will not work to stop bleeding long term. We used those for temporary stoppage to start IVs. Using a BP cup is a better option than the disposable ones, but no one wants to carry around a bp cup.

The disposable ones will get slick and be difficult to use when covered in blood. The emergency tourniquets are designed to be used be the individual that has been injured and can be applied one handed if needed. They won't become slick when covered in blood.

There are some rubber style tourniquets that are larger in size that work well. I believe they are branded SWAT-T.

As with any situation, I have seen lots of things used as tourniquets such as shoe strings and electrical wire, which both do a large amount of damage to the local tissue, but people panic and aren't prepared.

Just my two cents of what I have seen and used over the years.

[Mac66]

The disposable ones will not work to stop bleeding long term. We used those for temporary stoppage to start IVs. Using a BP cup is a better option than the disposable ones, but no one wants to carry around a bp cup.

The disposable ones will get slick and be difficult to use when covered in blood. The emergency tourniquets are designed to be used be the individual that has been injured and can be applied one handed if needed. They won't become slick when covered in blood.

There are some rubber style tourniquets that are larger in size that work well. I believe they are branded SWAT-T.

As with any situation, I have seen lots of things used as tourniquets such as shoe strings and electrical wire, which both do a large amount of damage to the local tissue, but people panic and aren't prepared.

Just my two cents of what I have seen and used over the years.

Good points about blood and self use. That's why I asked.

I'll bite the bullet and buy real TQs.

[Ronin.45]

The disposable ones might be an option for "extras", but are not even close to the capabilities of the real ones. They will slow blood flow, but not lock it down like a true windlass tq.

[Bmyers]

Glad to help.