Issues Related to the Use of Tourniquets on the Battlefield

Abstract

On the battlefield, a properly applied tourniquet can be an extremely effective means of controlling severe extremity wound hemorrhage. However, a great deal of confusion exists among soldiers, medics, and military medical officers on a number of tourniquet-related issues. What is an appropriate combat tourniquet? When is it appropriate to use a tourniquet? When and by whom should a tourniquet be removed? Under what conditions should a tourniquet not be released or removed? What are the most effective ways to increase limb salvage while using a tourniquet? These and other issues were addressed by a panel of experts at the 2003 Advanced Technology Applications for Combat Casualty Care Conference, August 21 and 23, 2003, St. Pete Beach, Florida . Here we review those issues and present a summary of the panel's recommendations.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA630442

Entities

People

  • Robert L. Mabry
  • Thomas J. Walters

Organizations

  • United States Army Institute of Surgical Research

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army Personnel
  • Battlefields
  • Casualties
  • Combat Casualty Care
  • Combat Injuries
  • First Responders
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Medicine
  • Physicians
  • Special Forces
  • Training
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Academic Conference Management
  • Educational Psychology
  • Trauma or Military Medicine