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swatsurgeon · 08-20-2008, 11:39

finally put them to the test. The company was kind enough to send me samples to play with and here is the review:

DISCLAIMER:I am solely responsible for this review, the opinions are my own based on my use of the product, I don't represent any tactical equipment company, etc.

On to the review......
The SWAT-T tactical tourniquet is an 'esmark' like compliant (elastic) wrap that stretches with perfect memory to return to it's baseline length.

I first used it on my right upper arm over bare skin to see if I could do it one handed and gain the 'tightness' needed for it to act as a tourniquet, not just a bandage holder. It was easy to apply although the first and second revolution around my arm was not as tight as you want, it quickly grabbed itself with friction and I tightened it and 'tucked' the end under a layer to completely shut off flow to my radial and ulnar arteries. This was checked with a color flow doppler/duplex ultrasound machine in our vascular lab in our hospital. As I released it, flow was restored after 2-3 revolutions back around my arm, releasing the tourniquet effect. There was no pinching of my skin or discomfort at all. NOTE: it took me about 20 seconds to stretch/wrap/tuck it into place to occlude the vessel. May speed up with experience.

Next: did upper and lower leg positions....same thing except using 2 hands, I could occlude flow by color doppler in 8-9 seconds.....

CONCLUSIONS: it performs as advertised with no discomfort unlike what most other tourniquets cause when tightened. It weighs almost about the same as a CAT, takes up about the same space. I am quicker 1 handed with a MAT as well as 2 handed vs this one but the price of $8.50 beats everything out there. I tried my best to break it while stretching it around my leg....no way, not unless there is something like glass/shapnel around to snag it.

It truly is multipurpose: pressure dressing/tourniquet, anywhere an elastic bandage can be utilized. I give it 4.99 stars out of 5.0.....nothing is ever perfect!!
It has my endorsement for what ever that's worth. Next stop is our Tac-Med class in Oct. to be tortured by EMS, docs, PA's, LEO's....that will but it through it's paces.

ss

08-20-2008, 11:39	#6
swatsurgeon Guerrilla Chief Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 880	finally put them to the test. The company was kind enough to send me samples to play with and here is the review: DISCLAIMER:I am solely responsible for this review, the opinions are my own based on my use of the product, I don't represent any tactical equipment company, etc. On to the review...... The SWAT-T tactical tourniquet is an 'esmark' like compliant (elastic) wrap that stretches with perfect memory to return to it's baseline length. I first used it on my right upper arm over bare skin to see if I could do it one handed and gain the 'tightness' needed for it to act as a tourniquet, not just a bandage holder. It was easy to apply although the first and second revolution around my arm was not as tight as you want, it quickly grabbed itself with friction and I tightened it and 'tucked' the end under a layer to completely shut off flow to my radial and ulnar arteries. This was checked with a color flow doppler/duplex ultrasound machine in our vascular lab in our hospital. As I released it, flow was restored after 2-3 revolutions back around my arm, releasing the tourniquet effect. There was no pinching of my skin or discomfort at all. NOTE: it took me about 20 seconds to stretch/wrap/tuck it into place to occlude the vessel. May speed up with experience. Next: did upper and lower leg positions....same thing except using 2 hands, I could occlude flow by color doppler in 8-9 seconds..... CONCLUSIONS: it performs as advertised with no discomfort unlike what most other tourniquets cause when tightened. It weighs almost about the same as a CAT, takes up about the same space. I am quicker 1 handed with a MAT as well as 2 handed vs this one but the price of $8.50 beats everything out there. I tried my best to break it while stretching it around my leg....no way, not unless there is something like glass/shapnel around to snag it. It truly is multipurpose: pressure dressing/tourniquet, anywhere an elastic bandage can be utilized. I give it 4.99 stars out of 5.0.....nothing is ever perfect!! It has my endorsement for what ever that's worth. Next stop is our Tac-Med class in Oct. to be tortured by EMS, docs, PA's, LEO's....that will but it through it's paces. ss __________________ 'Revel in action, translate perceptions into instant judgements, and these into actions that are irrevocable, monumentous and dreadful - all this with lightning speed, in conditions of great stress and in an environment of high tension:what is expected of "us" is the impossible, yet we deliver just that. (adapted from: Sherwin B. Nuland, MD, surgeon and author: The Wisdom of the Body, 1997 ) Education is the anti-ignorance we all need to better treat our patients. ss, 2008. The blade is so sharp that the incision is perfect. They don't realize they've been cut until they're out of the fight: A Surgeon Warrior. I use a knife to defend life and to save it. ss (aka traumadoc)
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