We received this article today noting the benefit of first-aid kits for law enforcement officers: saving lives. Because they are often the first on the scene, their being properly trained and equipped is essential.
Pima County Sheriff’s Department __ Individual First Aid Kits (IFAK) PDF
Saving lives is not the sole domain of Paramedics or Tactical Medics. Preparing Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) to perform basic live-saving procedures in the field can pay huge dividends if faced the challenge of saving a life–theirs or a citizen’s.
Had the Gainesville Police and Alachua County Sheriff’s Departments in Florida assumed the position that “Medics do Medicine” by not implementing this program, this story would have ended differently.
We just received the NTOA Member Test reviews for the Olaes Modular Bandage and the Foxtrot Litter, in which both products were rated on a 5 point system. They both were rated very well–4.74 and 4.7, respectively. Please feel free to download a copy of the Olaes Modular Bandage NTOA review and the Foxtrot Litter NTOA review.
Should you be concerned with carrying an effective tourniquet? We think so. Short transport times do not stop bleeding, effective tourniquets do. In fact, studies have shown that ineffective tourniquets can INCREASE your rate of bleeding. If you think a short transport time is a given, or that tourniquet effectiveness is a small concern, then read the below email we received from an NY State officer and the corresponding NY Times article(nytimesarticle1.pdf):
“I thought you might like to know, that your product, the SOF tqt was utilized successfully on 4/25/07. While conducting a search of a residence located in a rural area of upstate NY, several of my teammates came under fire from a subject armed with a 30.30 rifle, and a 22 cal pistol. One operator was struck by a 30.30 rifle round in his L/distal humerous. As the round passed through the operator’s arm, approximately 2″ of his distal humerous was completely blown out, along with a large amount of soft tissue.
The brachial artery was also severed. After retreating to a position of cover, the operator attempted self-aid by applying an SOF tqt superior to the wound. After being assisted by another operator, the tqt was properly applied, and the operator was able to successfully tamponade the severed artery. The wounded operator was evacuated and airlifted to a regional trauma center, and he remains in stable condition (he’s going to need several more surgeries, but it looks like he is going to keep his arm) The trauma doc stated that the application of the Tqt probably saved the operator’s life. I’m attempting to convince my supervisors to purchase apprx 100 more of tyour SOF tqts. Thanks.”
Should you be concerned with carrying a tourniquet and its effectiveness?
Next time, we will address tourniquets and scientific studies.
