Managing Excessive Bleeding: Tourniquets and Hemostatic Dressings

1. Understanding Excessive Bleeding

In the 2015 European Resuscitation Council updates, there was a clarification regarding excessive or catastrophic bleeding. This type of bleeding poses an immediate life-threatening situation and can result from blast injuries, limb amputations, or other severe traumas.

2. Tourniquets: The Last Resort

Tourniquets are a critical tool in controlling excessive blood loss, but they should only be used when conventional dressings prove ineffective. Care must be taken when using tourniquets due to their potential for causing harm. Special guidelines apply.

• Tourniquet Function: A tourniquet is a strap tightened above the injury site to halt blood flow beyond that point.
• Caution: Tourniquets are reserved as a last resort for bleeding control.
• Special Rules: Follow specific rules for tourniquet application.

3. Hemostatic Dressings: Clotting Agents

Hemostatic dressings are another option for managing excessive bleeding. They are impregnated with clotting agents that react with the blood to promote clot formation, stopping the bleeding.

• Clotting Agent Brands: Common brands include Celox, HemCon, and QuikClot.
• Universal Application: Hemostatic dressings are suitable for various types of bleeding, including cases where individuals have clotting issues.
• Usage: These dressings can be packed into a wound and covered with another dressing to secure them in place.

4. Additional Training

This video provides an introductory overview of methods for controlling excessive bleeding using tourniquets and hemostatic dressings. For those working in high-risk environments where these techniques may be required, further training on their proper and effective use is recommended.