Today we’re going to take a look at the use of tourniquets in first aid situations. At My First Aid Course we teach how to use these devices as part of our Advanced First Aid course.
Tourniquets can play a vital role in helping manage a life-threatening limb bleed. The type of bleeding when every second counts.
What’s a Tourniquet, Anyway?
Simply put, a tourniquet is a device used to stop severe bleeding from a limb by applying pressure to compress arteries and reduce or stop blood flow. It’s a bit like when you accidently park your car on the garden hose, stopping the water due to the pressure.
Modern tourniquets come in various forms, from purpose-built commercial ones to improvised versions you might whip up in an emergency.
Commercial tourniquets often use sturdy materials like nylon webbing and have a windlass (a twisting rod) to tighten them effectively. But in a pinch, you might need to improvise with items from your bush emergency kit – more on that later.
| History & Random Trivia Tourniquets aren’t a new invention. Ancient Romans used primitive versions made of bronze and leather. Check out an image here. It looks a bit brutal. The first reported use of a tourniquet for haemorrhage control was by a French army surgeon in 1674. Tourniquet use fell out of favour for many years after the World Wars. |
When and Why You’d Use One
Let’s be clear: tourniquets are for life-threatening limb haemorrhage only. We’re talking about situations where blood is spurting or flowing steadily, and other methods like direct pressure aren’t cutting it. Think severe injuries from car crashes, industrial accidents, traumatic amputation or shark bites.
As recently as July 2024 a 23-year-old surfer’s life was saved by the quick thinking of an off-duty police officer who improvised a tourniquet using a dog leash, after the surfer was bitten by a white shark while surfing at a New South Wales beach. Now that’s a real-life situation where advanced first aid skills and improvisation saved a young man’s life.
The key here is the concept of the “golden hour” – the critical time after a severe injury where prompt medical treatment can make all the difference. A properly applied tourniquet can buy precious time, keeping someone alive until they can reach hospital care.
Tourniquets fell out of favour for many years (see info box), due to the length of time it once took to get a casualty from the battlefield to hospital. With the advent of helicopter evacuation and faster “clearing times” tourniquets have become a staple in life-saving pre-hospital intervention for limb haemorrhage.
Proper Technique: It’s All in the Details
Applying a tourniquet correctly is vitally important. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Place the tourniquet 5-7 cm above the wound.
- Wrap it tightly around the limb.
- Secure it in place.
- Twist the windlass until bleeding stops.
- Lock the windlass in place.
- Note the time of application.
Remember, a properly applied tourniquet will be painful – that’s normal. The goal is to stop blood flow, which means significant pressure.
Improvising: When You’ve Got to Think on Your Feet
Sometimes you won’t have a commercial tourniquet handy. That’s when you need to get creative. A belt, a shirt sleeve, or even a sturdy stick and some strapping or cord from your bush emergency kit can become a life-saving tool. The key is to create something wide enough (about 5cm) to distribute pressure and strong enough to hold tight.
Risks and Pitfalls: What You Need to Know
Now, tourniquets aren’t without risks. There’s potential for nerve and tissue damage if left on too long. But here’s the thing – in a life-threatening situation, the benefits far outweigh the risks (consider the surfer earlier in this article).
Modern protocols allow tourniquets to be left on for several hours if necessary, though they should be removed by medical professionals as soon as possible. One common misconception is that tourniquets always lead to amputations. This simply isn’t true with modern medical care. The key is quick action and getting to a hospital promptly.
| What’s new in tourniquet tech? We’re seeing new materials that are lighter and stronger, with improvements for one handed application. Automated capabilities are also evolving with use in pre-hospital settings becoming a focus. Sadly, mass casualty situations and large scale combat operations are influencing design and deployment development. |
Burning Questions Answered
Do tourniquets cause blood clots? While they can increase the risk, the immediate life-saving benefit outweighs this concern in emergency situations.
How painful is a tourniquet? Let’s not sugar-coat it – they hurt. But it’s a small price to pay for saving a life.
How long can a tourniquet be left on? Modern guidelines suggest up to 2 hours is generally safe, but always defer to emergency medical professionals.
Can tourniquets be used on children? Yes, but with extra care due to their smaller limb size.
Should a tourniquet be used to manage a snake bite? That’s a firm NO. Snake bites should be managed with the Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT). You can find out more about this here
Everyday Preparedness: Finding the Balance
So, should you carry a tourniquet everywhere you go? It’s a personal choice. If you’re often in remote areas or high-risk environments, it might be worth considering. For most people, having one in your home first aid kit and another in your car is a good middle ground.
More importantly, know how to improvise, like the off-duty police officer I mentioned earlier.
Training: It’s Not Just About Knowing, It’s About Doing
Reading about tourniquets is a great start, but there’s no substitute for hands-on training. That’s where My First Aid Course Brisbane comes in. We offer comprehensive courses that cover tourniquet use along with a range of other life-saving skills in our Advanced First Aid course. Our hands-on approach ensures you’re not just knowledgeable, but confident and competent when it matters most.
Wrapping It Up (Pun Intended)
Tourniquets might seem intimidating, but they’re an integral tool in your first aid arsenal. With the right knowledge and training, you could be the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Whether you’re a weekend bushwalker, a tradie on a worksite, or just someone who wants to be prepared, understanding tourniquets is a valuable skill.
Ready to take your first aid skills to the next level? Check out our courses at My First Aid Course Brisbane. We’ll have you handling tourniquets like a pro in no time. Because when it comes to saving lives, every second counts – and being prepared is!
