Understanding Tourniquets: Types, Availability, and Ease of Use

Tourniquets are essential tools in emergency medical situations, used to control severe bleeding. You may think that applying a tourniquet dooms the victim to lose an appendage. Fortunately, that is not necessarily true. It is true, extended application of a tourniquet does increase the likelihood of amputation due to necrosis, but we are a fortunate bunch here in the United States. Although there is no hard/fast timeline, generally, if we can get our victim to a hospital or emergency department within 2-3 hours, we have a high probability that additional care can be administered and the loss of an extremedy is significantly less likely.

We will explore the different types of tourniquets, their availability, and their ease of use and lastly, which tourniquets we use in our training and daily kits. All devices can be purchased on Amazon for easy shopping, comparison and better pricing.

Types of Tourniquets

1. Elastic Tourniquets
   • Advantages: Reusable, adjustable, and less likely to cause allergic reactions.
   • Disadvantages: May lose elasticity over time and can be less comfortable for some patients.
   • Availability: Available in medical supply stores and online.
   • Ease of Use: Easy to use and adjust, suitable for various patient sizes.
2. Velcro Tourniquets
   • Advantages: Easy to apply and remove with one hand, adjustable, and less likely to cause skin irritation.
   • Disadvantages: May lose stickiness over time and can be more expensive.
   • Availability: Available in medical supply stores and online.
   • Ease of Use: Very user-friendly, ideal for quick application
3. Windlass Tourniquets
   • Advantages: Highly effective in stopping arterial blood flow, durable, and widely used in military and emergency settings.
   • Disadvantages: Requires proper training to use effectively.
   • Availability: Available in medical supply stores and online.
   • Ease of Use: Effective but requires training to ensure proper application.

Conclusion

Choosing the right tourniquet depends on the specific needs and circumstances. It’s crucial to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each type and to ensure proper training for effective use.