Tourniquet saves a life
A reminder of the importance of carrying a tourniquet and having the training (and confidence) to use it.
FIRST AID
Tourniquets are a critical tool for first responders, as they can quickly and effectively stop severe bleeding, which is the leading cause of preventable death in traumatic injuries. When a person experiences a severe injury, such as a deep laceration or amputation, blood loss can be rapid and significant. If left untreated, this can lead to shock and death within minutes.
A life was recently saved on the NSW North Coast when offduty soldiers stopped to render first aid to a woman trapped and critically injured in a motor vehicle collision. "The soldiers were carrying a professional first aid kit and managed to squeeze through a gap at the scene and assist, despite the injured woman initially being inaccessible." That medical kit contained a tourniquet which they applied and which is reported to have saved her life.
A tourniquet is a device that can be applied to an injured limb to compress the blood vessels and stop the flow of blood. Tourniquets have been used for centuries in military and emergency medicine, but their use has been controversial in the past. Some experts were worried that tourniquets could cause tissue damage or even lead to amputation if left on for too long. However, recent studies have shown that tourniquets are safe and effective when used correctly.
As a volunteer first responder, it is important to be trained in the proper use of tourniquets. This includes knowing how to properly apply the tourniquet, how tight to make it, and when to release it. Most first aid courses in Australia now instruct participants in how to safely apply a tourniquet and allow you to practice applying them in the classroom, which builds confidence.
It is also important to have tourniquets readily available in your first aid kit. At Responder Wear, we can provide a range of life saving tourniquets for use by professional responders as well as community first aiders. Check out our Stop The Bleed section of our web store for the full range.
In summary, tourniquets are a life-saving tool for first responders. They can quickly and effectively stop severe bleeding, which is the leading cause of preventable death in traumatic injuries. Make sure you have one available when you need i!
