Tourniquet Blog

What Is the Best Knot for a Tourniquet?

Question: How do I tie a tourniquet? Should I use a square knot, and then poke the stick through the middle of it?

Survival Med’s Answer:

Tying a tourniquet involves various methods, and the choice depends on the situation and the materials available. The quickest approach for most individuals is to wrap the material around the limb and place the windlass directly underneath it. This method requires fewer twists to tighten. Alternatively, using any simple knot, like a square knot, could be effective. For thicker materials, sticking the windlass through the square knot itself may work well.

It’s essential to note that with stretchy materials such as ACE bandages or stretchy cotton, the effectiveness of certain knots may be compromised, requiring more twists to tighten. We encourage experimenting with different methods in advance to familiarize yourself with different techniques. In the field, if you have various materials available to you for tourniquet construction, remember that the ultimate goal is to cut off circulation in the injured extremity.

If you’re still getting a pulse below the tourniquet it isn’t working, so be prepared to switch to another approach if needed – for example, a different type of material, or a more rigid or sturdy object to serve as the windlass.

PHOTO 1

7657e9934b2a4ee86a87d0e665320b05.png

PHOTO 2

2224fd185e82ba6fa479c8540680b15a.png
Lid Blog

What’s the Best Way to Stop Bleeding from Lid Lacerations?

Electro Blog

What Should I Include as “Electrolytes” in a First Aid Kit?

CPR Blog

Why Does the MARCH Protocol Prioritize Respiration Before Circulation?

Blister Blog

What’s a Dual-Layer Pad for Blister Prevention and What Product Should I to My First Aid Kit?

Bacteria Blog

What Bacterial Infections Are Likeliest in the Canadian Northwoods?

W3W Blog

Is What3Words a Good Offroad Companion?

Shawn – Hunting Trip

Shawn: Lost in the Fog

man-first-aid-kit-fatigues

What Should I Include in a First Aid Kit for a Cross-Country Road Trip?

George – Cutting the Nerve

George: Table Saw Disaster

ryan-jump-bag

What’s in a Paramedic’s First Aid Kit?

Shick Blog

Does Neurogenic Shock Impact Blood Pressure or Blood Volume?

Barry Betha – Heat Emergencies

Barry Betha: Overheated Biker Collapses

ACS Blog

How Do You Differentiate Between Angina and ACS in Wilderness First Aid?

Daniel – The Heimlich Maneuver

Daniel: Wife Chokes During Dinner

Thomas – Car Accident

Thomas: Telephone Pole Collision

Hypo Blog

Blowup Mattresses, Burritos & Buddies: What Works To Treat Hypothermia?

NEXUS Blog

When Should Spinal Immobilization Be Implemented Per NEXUS?

Rescue Breath Blog

How Many Rescue Breaths Should I Give A Drowning Victim?

Kenneth – Hypothermia

Kenneth: Cold Crisis in California Mountains

Jim – Vision Loss

Jim: Worksite Eye Emergency