You're right, my question was worded poorly. I agree, all tourniquets must come off eventually.

I was interested in learning about how the complications of a long duration tourniquet were assessed and managed pre and post Tq removal, which Doc T kindly provided.

Thanks.

x

Doc T,
Are your EMS guys using HCAs in the field?

no...I am not aware of any groups using them except experimentally... following protocols and such.

doc t.

Thank you. I was wondering what the clean up was like.

4-month-old poll with only 5 votes? Sounds like we need to recruit some more 18Ds . . .

at a conference I heard a talk about the different agents...the gentleman giving the talk said he wouldn't want quick clot used on him with any other alternative available... he stated on the animals it destroyed too much in its path...muscle, nerve, etc...

so again....probably the LAST alternative but better than nothing.

Must have worked for traumadex...

lol...nope...they have to come clean on that kind of stuff at the start of any talk....

but good try. I take it you voted for quick clot?

Its all I've got, but I would use it.

Concur.

This is meatball trauma management, frequently by un/under-trained personnel, not professional care at a Level 1 Trauma Center.

Hmm, die in 15 minutes from exsanguination, or use a dangerous clotting agent or a tourniquet till they can get me out of here?

I have seen the former with a friend of mine, he sucked up 13 bags of IV solutions till he was circulating pink Kool-Aid and died enroute to a hospital, I'll take my chances with the latter, please.

Just my untrained .02.

TR

you all seem to read what you want rather than what is written...

again... he said he would not use it if there was an alternative, not that he wouldn't use it at all....

and as i wrote...better than nothing.

His point was its not an alternative to pressure or possibly a tourniquet because the damage seen may ultimately lead to an amputation based on the treatment. As was written earlier in this thread, it should be a last line of treatment..not the first.

doc t.

for more accurate literature, get hold of this months Police magazine (not sure of the exact name) We published a review on all of the products. I can email a longer version of the article to anyone that wants to read it. It was not funded/influenced by any company.
I have used traumadex in the OR....worked very well. The reported problems both as listed here as well as from their own video/literature...I would stay away from it. Traumadex is relatively inexpensive, inert and functional as advertised (I have no affiliation with them)

last post wasn't clear....the problems with the video/literature was with quik-clot........

QuikClot

I have known this man for 20 years. He was an SF Medic and my mentor as a PA during my rotation before graduation. This is all I need to know about this HCA.