Story, Photos by Spc. Jeremy D. Crisp
MNCI PAO
July 7, 2005
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- The U.S. Army is now providing troops with a new tool designed to save life and limb.
The Special Operations Forces Tactical Tourniquet is the Army's newest medical device designed to help save lives, and is being issued to all Soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Designed for one-handed application, the SOFTT allows a Soldier to apply the tourniquet to himself if need be and replaces the Army's field-expedient method, where a Soldier would use a bandage and a stick to stop blood flow from a wound.
Using the field-expedient method worked, "but the SOFTT is better," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael C. Klemowski, Multi-National Force -- Iraq personnel section, Camp Victory.
"Having this issued to Soldiers will cut down on casualties because it is a time- saving device," said Klemowski, who is a former drill sergeant. "The less time that is wasted, the better chance there is of saving someone's life."
The entire process of applying the tourniquet, on average, takes under fifteen seconds, according to www.vikingtactics.com.
Along with saving time, the new tourniquet can also get to the hard to reach injuries.
The SOFTT's strap can be released completely through the web clamp and then re-threaded, allowing for application to trapped limbs.
Working on the same principals as all tourniquets, "(The SOFTT) is used to stop the bleeding from an extremity and to prevent shock," said Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Brennan, post-deployment health assessment team noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Multi-National Corps-Iraq Surgeon Cell.
The SOFTT has two latches used to secure the metal handle. While only one latch is required for the tourniquet to be effective, the extra latch provides extra securing ability depending on the handle's position after tightening.
To apply the tourniquet, one slides it over the limb and pulls the tail quickly. Once the slack is removed, they twist the handle until bleeding is controlled and then secure the latch. Finally, the screw on the buckle is tightened to prevent accidental loosening
The SOFTT is used as a last resort to treat a wound, Brennan said.
"Try to stop the bleeding with a bandage," Brennan said to a July 4 class of Soldiers learning how to use the new
tourniquet. "After using a pressure dressing for five minutes, you will know if you need to use a tourniquet. If the bleeding persists, use the tourniquet."
Once the tourniquet has been applied, a pulse needs to be checked on either the hand or foot where the injury is. "No pulse means the tourniquet is working," Brennan said.
After the tourniquet is in place, three rules apply: "Never loosen it, never take it off and don't cover it up," Brennan said.
The new tourniquet became available in Iraq and Afghanistan in January, and Soldiers can pick up the SOFTT at their unit's supply section, Brennan said.
| Date Taken: | 07.18.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2005 10:40 |
| Story ID: | 2431 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 57 |
| Downloads: | 9 |
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