Tourniquet: By definition should completely stop the flow of blood from an artery.
I have seen many a "Tourniquet" that in the wrong hands fails to do just that... In addition not everyone knows how to be sure that the blood flow has been stopped.
Lets be practical here... (A quick story) In the not so distant past all the best combat "medics" were pooled together during an evolution that focused on the design of a new and improved, no ship, "TOURNIQUET" that was marketable and functionable. So, several groups went off that night to brainstorm and come up with this new and improved tourniquet that must meet the definition "STOP THE BLEEDING" once in place. All varieties of medics were present, from all branches of the military and special forces... Long story short, most spent all night comming up with various ideas... But, then there was the "Navy SEAL Corpsman". "DOC" and his team left the meeting, went straight over the one of the trucks, took one of the rachet tie downs and modified it to an appropriate length, then with the mission accomplished went straight to the nearest bar.
Point being... Keep it simple and take care of business!
Many of us have tie downs already. If not, you can go out to "Wally World" and buy a pack of 5-10 for a minimal fee, compared to the life you may save by using it in time of need.
Here are some things about "T's" you need to remember;
1) The strap should be no less than a prefered 2 inches wide. (This will help to avoid possible nerve damage)
2) Place the "T" 2 inches (two fingers) above the wound site (between the heart and the wound).
3) Never place the "T" over a joint.
4) No matter whether applying an ACE bandage, Pressure dressing or Tourniquet... Always, check "PMS" (Pulse, Motor skills - ie. can you wiggle your fingers/toes and Sensation - ie "can you tell me what finger/toe I am touching?") distal to the wound site.
The biggest argument I hear, when I get a student fresh out of EMT school is, "Tourniquets, are only used as a LAST RESORT!"
I wont tell you what to do here... Like most things, "Situation" will dictate. But ponder this... Crafty, you will appreciate this point.
Millions of people undergo surgery every day... Sugeons control the excess bleeding by use of several methods... One of the most traditional, was to apply a touriquet on the limb, above the site to be worked on. Truth is, in many cases a Tourniquet can stay in place for 4-6 hrs before permanent damage to that limb is certain. Plus, you can always loosen it just a bit to allow some blood flow to the extremity every 2-3 hrs. The most import thing is making the "Life over Limb" decision.
Note the time that the "T" was applied - and pass that knowledge onto the DR as soon as possible.
Research this and make your own assesments...
Q: How long can you hold your breath or go without breathing?
Q: How long does it take to bleed out from a major arterial bleed?
We all hear about the good old ABC's of first aid. (Good stuff) One I like to share for Combat Life Saving scenarios is, "Stop the bleeding, restrore the breathing"... It shouldn't take you but 30 seconds at the most to apply a "T" with practice and remember you can always loosen it. Just dont take it off. Let a trained DR do that.
Make your own situational call... But, if it's me... I would rather take the few seconds to slap on a "T" before starting rescue breathing. If you have help - share the duties... Dont get tunnel vision...
But hey???... Dont take my word for it... I am not a doctor. I advise you to do your own research...
I am just sharing some of the nuggets that I have been taught by DR's and key things that I KNOW from first hand experience WORK!
I can think of many a knife technique that includes cutting arteries.... and I have yet to meet a person that NEVER gets cuts. Put the odds of survival in your favor.
More to come later...