Do you know how to apply a tourniquet?
@JamesHxstatic (29360)
Eugene, Oregon
October 20, 2017 1:29pm CST
I don't either, but some lives were saved by makeshift tourniquets during the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas. I heard a former Army Ranger Physician's Assistant who served multiple tours in Afghanistan talking about the importance of stopping bleeding in emergency situations. He is now a med student and part of a campaign called Stop the bleed seeking to educate people on the use of tourniquets.
Over the years, many first aid classes have cautioned against the use of tourniquets duet to "possible loss of the limb" it is used on. Experience in war time (isn't that all the time now?) has proven that damage is very unlikely up to at least two hours.
Have you ever used or needed to use a tourniquet to stop someone from bleeding, perhaps to death?
Link to that program:
http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2017/10/18/tourniquet-blood-loss
https://www.dhs.gov/stopthebleed
10 people like this
10 responses
@MALUSE (69390)
• Germany
20 Oct 17
tourniquet -- new word for me - and a strange one if I may say so. I wonder why there is no English term.
I should know how to use it because I took part in a first aid course by the red cross. Yet, it was a long time ago. I hope that I can remember everything in case of need.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29360)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Oct 17
Interesting, what is the German word? Or Danish for that matter?
@MALUSE (69390)
• Germany
21 Oct 17
@JamesHxstatic German: Aderpresse, Danish: årepresse
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29360)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Oct 17
@MALUSE Thank you! Tourniquet comes from old French (tournicle) and French (tourner). Your comment inspired me to look it up.
@JamesHxstatic (29360)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Oct 17
It is good one to know. I need to take a first aid refresher.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29360)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Oct 17
@DianneN Yes, I need a refresher course.
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@DianneN (247216)
• United States
21 Oct 17
@JamesHxstatic That and CPR seems to be required at this stage of the game.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16558)
• China
21 Oct 17
I have not applied it before.It is said that you must relax it every half hour to one hour for 3 -5 minutes after it is tied.
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@JamesHxstatic (29360)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Oct 17
The combat doc indicated that up to two hours is safe now.
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@LadyDuck (460350)
• Switzerland
22 Oct 17
@JamesHxstatic I was 19 when a bomb in a bank exploded two blocks from where I was working (it was in Milan, Italy). We rushed there to see what happened and I will never forget what I saw. I am glad the ambulances and police were already there, I was completely unable to help. I felt sick, I went home walking like a zombie.
@JamesHxstatic (29360)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Oct 17
It is fortunate that situations like that don't arise often in our lives.
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@amadeo (111948)
• United States
21 Oct 17
@JamesHxstatic I think you can do it there James
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@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
20 Oct 17
I don't remember where or when exactly but I was taught how to use a tourniquet when I was a kid. I think it was in school–maybe health class. But I have never used one.
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@JamesHxstatic (29360)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Oct 17
Nor have I, though I am sure they showed us how in army basic training.
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@JamesHxstatic (29360)
• Eugene, Oregon
23 Oct 17
@RichardMeister They did, but that is a distant memory as far as details go. So 20th Century
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@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
22 Oct 17
@JamesHxstatic I would think they would have taught you in basic training.
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@Tampa_girl7 (49267)
• United States
22 Oct 17
I've never learned to make one. It would be a good thing to know how to do.
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@JamesHxstatic (29360)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Oct 17
The latest thinking from combat experience is that up to two hours is safe.
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@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
21 Oct 17
I vaguely remember what they taught us in basic. Luckily, I've never had to use one.
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@JamesHxstatic (29360)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Oct 17
That limited first aid from basic is a distant memory for me.
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@kobesbuddy (75074)
• East Tawas, Michigan
20 Oct 17
No, I've fortunately never had a situation such as this one. In an emergency, I'd be able to do those things, for sure:)
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