MAT Turn-E-Ket
 

Sneaky,

This is really supposed to be an outstanding piece of gear. Gomez has been playing around w/ the various TQs for over a year now (he had one sent to me [IIRC it was called the SOFT-T or something similar] when I was @ SOLO last Aug.) The MAT TQ is his favorite of what he's evaluated and he told me Thur night that he was sending me a copy of a report from a test that rated it the best of several tested. I'll send you a copy of the eval when I get it.

Yeah, I'm hearing good things as well. If Big Man is GTG with it, just post the eval for all to see.

We're looking at it also for the civilian side with traumatic amputations and bleed outs from other wounds.
So far, it has ease of use, nearly foolproof (until they build a better fool!!)
our medics and SWAT guys can apply it quickly with 1 or 2 people or self applied. I like the fact that it is built wider than others on the market. I'm also looking at the S.A.T.S. which has a different 'buckle' mechanism and locking clamp. Going to give both a good workout and then be able to recommend to our local/regional tac-med operators as well as local/regional and possibly state EMS.
the web sites do a good job of demonstrating and after applying both to my arms and legs I get less 'pain/pinch' with the MAT

ss

It looks like this same company has a pelvic stabilizing product, TPOD, that would be a great addition to the bag-o-tricks. It's pricey though, $98.00 for a one time use product. Has anyone used this product?

Thanks,

Maya

I've tried it in the trauma room and once in the field....take my advice, sheets are free and work just as well if someone teaches you the proper technique for applying them to stabilize pelvic fx's.

ss

SS
like to here proper way.

sheet technique to providing pelvic 'stability' for suspected open book fractures:
- best performed by 2 people but can be done with one
-place a folded bed sheet under patient that is ~12 wide with upper border as high as/along 'hip bone'
-cross sheet over patient, each person pulling slow and steady, putting pressure across front of pelvis....slowly!!.
-once max tension across pelvis, maintain the 'pull'; each person handing off their side as to wrap/twist the sheet to maintain the tension
- once it is wrapped/twisted enough (4-6x), tape or tuck ends under the 'knot' to prevent unwrapping
- leave on as long as necessary or until doc removes it in trauma room or E.D.
- to harm done if there was no fracture: unlike MAST trousers, no need to intubate with maximum inflation/tension

I'll look for a link that shows a vid clip of this.

ss

some say also to tape feet together what is you word on that

I've never heard of taping the feet...not sure what it woulsd accomplish other than not allowing abduction of either leg, but usually, pain prevents much movement anyway......and hog tying is out of vogue right now....

So you're out in the boonies with std. kit, and you are now facing an unstable pelvis with unknown internal bleeding. The kit has cravats but no sheet, what other resources would be viable alternatives for stabilizing the pelvic region? What do members carry that might serve multiple secenario situations. Maybe a thermal shelter mylar sheet/blanket would do the trick? It also doesn't take much space or a weight hit.

Best Regards,

Maya

the key to the wrap is the width...you need just enough length to perform the cross-over and twist.
mylar, if it is strong enough and won't rip should work.

Well, we tourtured a few of the MATs at our Tac-Med course last week.(FYI: what used to be the H&K sponsored Tactical Medicine course is now the International School of Tactical Medicine...much improved in my opinion)

The MATs were used by all personnel, including people that had never placed a tourniquet. It was matched against the SAT, CAT and a few other assorted less known devices.
The overwhelming partyline was the MAT was most favored for ease of use, fulfilling all criteria recently published by the armed forced university (uniformed services univ.) position paper....ratchet or buckle (mechanical) to tighten, > 1 1/4 inch width, self applied. A few comments were made that I discussed with the ?owner of MAT. Had operator induced failures: broke ratchet key but leatherman tool salvaged it by turning small knob to tighten. None failed while on although they carried someone by using the device as a carry handle....too much torque was my quess.
Overall, it has my endorsement. Take a look at it, I believe it fits everyones need for a reliable tourniquet.

ss

Good to hear. I haven't rec'd anything more from Gomez on the MAT. FWIW, from the little playing around that I've done w/ the SOFT-T (I think that's what it's called) and a generic ratchet TQ, I'm underwhelmed. It seems to me that a triangular bandage, prefolded and wrapped w/ duct tape, split key rings, and a carpenter's pencil work about as well, are about as easy to apply, and take up less room.

I don't know if you know, but the MAT wasn't approved for use by the military, in a study by the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. They only approved the CAT, the SOFTT, and one other, which I don't know the name of. I'll try to get some more info soon, and post whatever I get. I just don't want someone to buy it, if it doesn't work 100% of the time, no matter how it is used.

I've carried the SOFTT for the past 3 1/2 years, used them on a couple differant occasions, and it has always worked. The only problem I have ever heard about them is that the screw can get rusty, but if you do a proper PMCS that won't be an issue. I've seen the CAT, and known people who have carried it, and the biggest complaint with them, is that the handle breaks if you apply to much pressure.

just my 2 cents