Quote:
Originally posted by NousDefionsDoc
Crip, how long do you have after applying a touniquet before you start having irrepairable damage? [/B]
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I thought I would chime in here , seeing as I just learned the answer to that in a class a month ago. I was taught (by WMA) that it takes about 2 hours for a limb to become unsalvagable. I believe that the "unsalvagability" (new word - put it in Webster's) is due to tissue necrosis.
The other danger with removing a tourniquet is reintroducing blood with lots of waste products back into the system. I'm not sure how long the waste build up needs to become a life threat on re-introduction. I'm guessing here, but the toxic blood threat may be the real reason for the civilian EMS rule of "never remove a touniquet".
Cheers.
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