Tourniquet use in the civilian prehospital setting.
Tourniquets are an effective means of arresting life-threatening external haemorrhage from limb injury. Their use has not previously been accepted practice for pre-hospital civilian trauma care because of significant concerns regarding the potential complications. However, in a few rare situations tourniquet application will be necessary and life-saving. This review explores the potential problems and mistrust of tourniquet use; explains the reasons why civilian pre-hospital tourniquet use may be necessary; defines the clear indications for tourniquet use in external haemorrhage control; and provides practical information on tourniquet application and removal. Practitioners need to familiarise themselves with commercial pre-hospital tourniquets and be prepared to use one without irrational fear of complications in the appropriate cases.
Lee
C
C
Academic Department of Traumatology, West Midlands, UK. drcarolinelee@hotmail.com
Porter
K M
KM
Hodgetts
T J
TJ
D017028:Caregivers; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014111:Tourniquets; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000379:methods