STP 21-1-SMCT - PUT ON A TOURNIQUET


081-831-1017



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CONDITIONS


Given a casualty who has a bleeding wound of the arm or leg. The bleeding cannot be stopped using a field and pressure dressing. The casualty is breathing. A stick or similar object and strips of cloth are available.


STANDARDS


Apply a tourniquet which stops bright red bleeding. The tourniquet stick does not unwind.


TRAINING AND EVALUATION



Evaluation Preparation


Setup:
You must evaluate this task using a mannequin or a simulated arm or leg (padded length of 2 x 4 inch wood with a glove or boot on one end). Under no circumstances will you evaluate it using a live simulated casualty. Place a real or simulated field dressing on the arm or leg. Place the tourniquet materials (stick and one or two pieces of cloth) nearby.

Brief Soldier:
Tell the soldier that field and pressure dressings have failed to stop the bleeding from the wound and that he or she must put on a tourniquet. Do not evaluate steps 5, 7, and 8 in the simulated mode.


Evaluation Guide























Performance Measure
Results


WARNING
THE ONLY TIME THAT A TOURNIQUET SHOULD BE APPLIED IS WHEN AN ARM OR LEG HAS BEEN CUT OFF OR WHEN HEAVY BLEEDING CANNOT BE STOPPED BY A PRESSURE DRESSING. IF ONLY A PART OF A HAND OR FOOT HAS BEEN CUT OFF, THE BLEEDING SHOULD BE STOPPED USING A PRESSURE DRESSING.



1. Make a tourniquet at least 2 inches wide.

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2. Position the tourniquet.


    a. Place the tourniquet over the smoothed sleeve or trouser leg, if possible.

    b. Place the tourniquet around the limb 2 to 4 inches above the edge of the wound but not on a joint or directly over a wound or fracture.

    c. Place the tourniquet just above, and as close to the joint as possible, when wounds are just below a joint.


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3. Apply the tourniquet.


    a. Tie a half knot.

    b. Place a stick (or similar object) on top of the knot.

    c. Tie a full knot over the stick.

    d. Twist the stick until the tourniquet is tight around the limb and bright red bleeding has stopped.


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4. Secure the tourniquet.


NOTE: The tourniquet can be secured using the ends of the tourniquet band or with another piece of cloth as long as the stick does not unwind. WARNING DO NOT LOOSEN OR RELEASE A TOURNIQUET ONCE IT HAS BEEN APPLIED.

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5. Pad and bandage the stump if a limb is completely amputated.


NOTE: Make sure that you do not cover the tourniquet.

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6. Mark the casualty's forehead with a "T" using a pen, mud, the casualty's blood, or whatever is available.

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7. Save severed limbs or body parts, if possible, and transport them with, but out of sight of, the casualty.

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8. Watch the casualty closely for life-threatening conditions and check for other injuries, if necessary. (See the task Evaluate A Casualty, task number 081-831-1000.)

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REFERENCE



FM 4-25.11  First Aid

IS0821 SELF-AID BUDDY AID

IS0831 TREATING WOUNDS AND FRACTURES