Stop the Bleed

(Firstly get the training. Practice, experience and skills are more important than gear)

I keep pushing tourniquets for remote wilderness use, that’s because we are so far behind in this country when it comes to training. Always carry a tourniquet, pressure bandages and S rolled gauze for junction packing in order to stop serious bleeds..

I have worked around situations where crush injuries from heavy vehicles , car accidents and chainsaw accidents were common occurrences ,when people thought they were adequately trained and the right equipment and training was never prevalent at the time.

8 tips on applying a tourniquet

1. Tourniquets are placed at least 5cm above the wound

2. Never place a tourniquet on a joint

3. Ideally, the tourniquet should be placed directly on the skin if the situation/environment allows it.

4. You can place tourniquets on lower limbs (ie two bones)

5. If one tourniquet isn’t effective, place a second tourniquet flush against the first tourniquet, but with the windless offset, so you are able to tighten

6. Tourniquets should be horizontal to the limb

7. When applying a tourniquet to a male casualty’s upper thigh, ensure the genitals don’t get caught

8. Re-check effectiveness regularly and after every casualty move

by Tacmed Australia

Stop the Bleed full course