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Location: Wound Care & Bleeding
Discussion: Major Arteries
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EricCogs |
Major Arteries
Oct 11 2010, 6:55 PM EDT
When any major artery has been severed isn't it best to imediatly apply a tourniquet? Even if you're unsure if the artery has been cut, but the cut is very close to one, should you just apply one? If there is a better way to deal with a situation like that with very limited medical supplies I would like to know.
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ThaDard |
1. RE: Major Arteries
Oct 11 2010, 10:51 PM EDT
The quikclot patch maybe. I dont know about the powder but I think you would b better off with the quikclot than risking the loss of a limb with a tourniquet. Just an opinion though.
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OutlawJames |
2. RE: Major Arteries
Oct 11 2010, 11:30 PM EDT
"When any major artery has been severed isn't it best to imediatly apply a tourniquet? Even if you're unsure if the artery has been cut, but the cut is very close to one, should you just apply one? If there is a better way to deal with a situation like that with very limited medical supplies I would like to know."Basic firstaid dictates that you apply direct pressure to any major bleeding wound. A tourniquet is applied above the wound and while it may stop the flow can in fact cause more damage, as body parst down flow are cut off entirly from oxygen, and it is the blood that carries the coagulants that could stop the blood flow to the wound. Direct pressure does not stop blood flow to the wounded area, but can stop the major amout of flow from/out of the wound. A tourniquet should really only be used in very extreme cases such as dismemberment. Do you find this valuable? |
Ironback |
3. RE: Major Arteries
Oct 12 2010, 1:23 AM EDT
| Post edited: Oct 12 2010, 1:25 AM EDT
There are two schools of thought on this matter:1) The National EMT says: a) Direct pressure b) if it bleeds through, apply another bandage. Do NOT remove the origional c) if still bleeding, raise the effected limb and apply pressure to the correct pressure point d) if it continues to bleed, Tourny The latest thinking of this is to apply a tourny ASAP in a combat environment. Cammy's are made with them built in these days and the CAT is a great tool for any combat medic. Go-go IDCs! Sorry, had to get the plug in there for the IDCs. Limbs have been reattatched up to 18 hours after tourny application. Now here is why, in a Z-Day environment, I would go with the first method. Blood clots. Only a trained doctor should ever remove a tourney. The reason is that he/she will administer a blood thinner first. W/out doing this you risk a blood clot breaking off. You've all heard of Deep Vein Thrombosus? It's caused by a blood clot. Now imagin one headed for your: heart lungs brain Leave battle field surgery to the Meatball Surgeons. Keep it as simple as you can. and in a Z-Day environment... how long do you think somebody is going to last with that kind of a wound? Just my .02. Do you find this valuable? |
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EricCogs |
4. RE: Major Arteries
Jan 11 2011, 6:13 PM EST
Thanks everyone, much appreciated. I understood about the dangers of a tourny before hand, just wondering what to do in combat if someone "cut" themselves. Ironback and Outlaw you guys are right, pressure and bandages are the best. Thanks again.
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