First Aid Essentials: Discover the Different Types of Tourniquets
When it comes to creating an emergency kit, tools such as tactical LED flashlights, whistles and extra batteries are always a must. However, regardless of the application, no first aid and emergency kit can be imagined without a convenient tourniquet. These devices have proven to be most effective in stopping major extremity bleeding. Once applied to the skin, a tourniquet starts causing pressure and hence, temporary occlusion.
However, there are a couple of different types of tourniquets packed with different features and suitable for different applications. Here’s what you need to know about each of them.
Emergency Medical Tourniquets (EMT)
If you’re looking for something that is constantly rated the highest in various effectiveness studies, it’s recommended to get a medical emergency tourniquet for your first aid kit. As their name states, this type is mostly used in the medical industry and is typically bulkier and more expensive than the other types. But on account of that, you’re getting a pneumatic tourniquet that resembles a blood pressure cuff with the most robust securing mechanism.
In fact, emergency tourniquet models for medical applications use an open-loop system that is very easy to apply and compress even if placed loosely on the limb. Unlike blood pressure cuffs, tourniquet medical sets’ pneumatic bladder is designed to prevent air loss when inflated. This allows maintenance of pressure to the limb area once the loop is locked down.
Combat Application Tourniquets (CAT)
Combat application tourniquets are the type that was first invented and widely used by the military until now. And it’s not even surprising, as these tourniquets have also been shown as very effective and saved countless lives.
However, combat tourniquets nowadays are way more sophisticated and come with reinforced technologies to correct the previous generations’ issues and ensure the best performance. For instance, these tourniquets’ straps are now completely apart so they can be easily placed around the limb and feature tight closed-loop systems. In other words, the user must tightly secure the strap to utilize the plastic windlass.
On the other hand, some manufacturers might recommend applying the tourniquet strap through the plastic buckle differently, depending on what area the tourniquet is being used on exactly. Then the strap should be secured on itself and locked for the windlass of these devices.
Military Emergency Tourniquets (MET)
Military emergency tourniquets are lightweight open-loop systems built from robust straps and aluminium windlasses. As they’re open-loop systems, these tourniquets can come apart to get placed around the limb, and they don’t need to be completely secured to cause the required pressure. More specifically, even if a MET is applied very loosely, by turning the windlass the slack will uptake and fully tighten the tourniquet.
Unlike some other models, military emergency tourniquets feature two secure points- one that is completely adjustable and one with Velcro straps. Some older generation models may feature narrow straps, while current versions have wider straps for better utilization.
As much as these tactical tourniquets have been shown as very effective, have in mind that they require training for those who’re not familiar with applying tourniquets.
Special Operation Forces Tourniquets (SOFT)
Special operation forces tourniquets are also among the oldest models and come in a bunch of reinforced versions. These tourniquets also use an open-loop system but feature a solid metal windlass, unlike other models that use plastic ones.
The earliest versions of this tourniquet type feature narrow straps and metal “alligator” clips with locking screws to secure the strap conveniently. Once applied, there’re two plastic D-ring securing points that are supposed to support the windlass. However, when using one of these, the user should make sure that the locking screw is secured well to avoid unintentional loosening of the tourniquet.
When it comes to the newer generations, the narrow strips are typically replaced with wider ones and the “alligator” clips are changed with break-apart buckles. Also, these models feature one D-ring securing point to make room for the buckle as a more convenient option.
Mechanical Advantage Tourniquets (MAT)
Unlike many of the other types mentioned above, medical advantage tourniquets use closed-loop systems where the strap is supposed to get hooked back on when applying. In fact, these devices are constructed from plastic and shaped into a “C” to be easily applied around the limb. Hence, they come in two different sizes- one for the arm and one for the leg.
When it comes to the internal mechanism for tightening the device, it’s a plastic dial that draws up a length of cord inside the tourniquet cuff when turned. However, in order to engage this internal mechanism, the strap has to be tightly applied and leaves a limited uptake. But when it comes to releasing it, you only need to easily lift the plastic hook that locks down the strap or press a convenient release button on the side of the device.
Ratcheting Medical Tourniquets
Last, but not least, ratcheting medical tourniquets also use a closed-loop system that tightens with a ratcheting, self-locking buckle. The latest version of these tourniquets features wide straps that can be fully released and opened to get the device placed around the limb. Once placed, the tourniquet should be routed through a metal ring and tightened down. In fact, once you apply pressure to the buckle, it automatically locks and keeps the device secured and allow it to maintain the required pressure over the affected area. When it comes to releasing them, this can be done by a simple press of a release button inside the buckle.