Reviewing the Slishman Pressure Wrap

All thoughts and opinions are that of the author at the time of writing.

Anyone who has met me knows that I am prone to doing deep-dives down the YouTube rabbit-hole from time to time. It was on one of these YouTube adventures where I first came across the Slishman Pressure Wrap in a video by none other than the inventor, Dr Sam Slishman M.D.

In a world where the latest medical gadgets are increasingly complex and “Tacti-cool”, what struck me about the Slishman Pressure Wrap was its intuitive simplicity and multiple applications.

I HAD TO HAVE ONE!

A quick google search showed that, at the time the only stockists were in the U.S.A and that shipping to Australia was going to cost more than the wraps themselves. Luckily my eldest sister resides in Austin, Texas and was planning a trip back to Queensland in the coming weeks. She picked up some wraps and brought them home for me.

THE WRAP

The Slishman Pressure Wrap uses a length of 50mm wide woven high-strength elastic strapping doubled back upon itself to provide a running-loop. The wrap has five hook & loop tabs along its length to enable it to stay rolled up in storage and grip to itself during application. It weighs in at only 34gm compared to a SOF-T Wide Tourniquet weighing in at 130g.

The Slishman Pressure Wrap embodies the tried and tested immediate response for all haemorrhage – simple and effective Direct Pressure. For example, in the case of a forearm laceration the arm is placed through the running-loop and the wrap is pulled tight. From there it’s a simple matter of wrapping the rest around the forearm maintaining tension on the elastic and allowing the hook & loop function to secure itself as you go. Because the entire wrap is elasticated you achieve compounding circumferential pressure with each successive pass around the limb. Direct Pressure achieved – simply and intuitively.

“But what about Tourniquets!?” I hear you cry….. The Slishman Pressure Wrap has the ability to achieve full occlusion pressures if required, and due to its ability to spread the pressure over a wider area it does this with more patient comfort. Trust me on this point, having trained extensively on the Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) I can attest that the Slishman Pressure Wrap (when used at tourniquet pressures) is an almost pleasurable experience by comparison to the standard 1.5-inch-wide commercial windlass type tourniquets on the market which usually leave the patient with significant bruising and tissue damage after application. The Slishman Pressure Wrap does not attempt to negate the use of dedicated tourniquets however, it simply provides another tool in the toolbox of haemorrhage control.

In addition to Direct Pressure and arterial occlusion, the wraps can be used to strap an ankle, wrist or secure a splint to a fracture. Its potential uses are as broad as your imagination. It is soft, flexible, lightweight and fits in your pocket for every day carry. The wraps fit around any limb size from infants to adults to animals.

For these reasons, I have carried a Slishman Pressure Wrap in my pocket and work bag everyday for the last 18 months or so. The company I work for – Life International Training PTY LTD are so impressed with the Slishman Pressure Wrap that we intend to incorporate them into our nationally accredited first aid courses in the very near future now that they have TGA approval and available in Australia through Responder Wear.

I encourage everyone to watch Dr Slishman’s YouTube videos about the wraps and to get one in your pocket without delay.

David Cooper

Australian Regular Army 1998 – 2017

Australian Border Force 2022 – 2024

Life International Training PTY LTD – Current

David is an Australian Army Veteran and First Aid/ WHS / Fire Safety trainer-assessor in Brisbane. His first exposure to first aid practices was when he joined the Army at the age of 18. Later during his military career, he was utilised as a Combat First Aider where he was tasked to provide advanced first aid practices to fellow soldiers until being transferred into the hands of fully qualified Army Medics.

David is currently studying a Diploma in Emergency Health Care through Central Queensland University. He is a member of the Australian Tactical Medical Association and a member of the College of Remote and Offshore Medicine.

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