First Aid for Severe Bleeding Certification Manual: Tourniquets & Hemostatic Agents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Recognizing Types of Bleeding
- 3. Recognizing Severe Bleeding
- 4. Equipment - Dressings & Bandages
- 5. Equipment - Tourniquets & Hemostatic Agents
- 6. Initial Emergency Actions
- 7. Steps to Control Bleeding
- 8. Recognizing & Treating Shock
- 9. Aftercare
- 10. Common Mistakes
- 11. Conclusion
- MyCPR Now™ Glossary
Tourniquets
A tourniquet is a device designed to be used in the event that direct pressure does not control the bleeding, such as an injury from a gunshot. The tourniquet is design to be used on the arms and legs only. Tourniquets should always be placed above the injury site. However, they should not be placed on a joint. The time of application should always be recorded after the tourniquet application.
The two most common types of tourniquets are an elastic band or a windlass. Each have a different process of application.
The windlass tourniquet is applied by:
- Sliding the tourniquet approximately 2 inches above the area of injury
- Tightening the tourniquet strap and attach the windlass
- Twist the windlass until bleeding stops
- Record the time
The elastic tourniquet is applied by:
- Sliding the tourniquet approximately 2 inches above the area of injury
- Tighten the tourniquet until the squares and ovals become rectangles and circles
- Tuck and tie the tourniquet
- Record the time
Special Note: Elastic tourniquets are recommended for children and individuals with smaller limbs. Other tourniquet types such as: pneumonic (pressurized air pump) and ratchet (strap with ratchet mechanism) are also available.
Hemostatic Agents
Hemostatic agents are chemical substances that work to stop bleeding by clotting blood and contracting tissue to seal injured blood vessels. Hemostatic agents can be found in some first aid kits in powder form or already in pre-made bandages.