Pol. Merkur. Lek (Pol. Med. J.), 2015, XXXVIII/224: 066-069

SUMMARY IN POLISH & ENGLISH. FULL ARTICLE ONLY IN POLISH.

Modern methods of prehospital bleeding management based on the experience and standards of tactical medicine

Kluj P1, Aleksandrowicz D3, Machała W2, Gaszyński T.1

Medical University of Łódź, Poland: 1Chair of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Department of Rescue Medicine and Disaster Medicine; 2Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, II Chair of Eye Diseases; 3London North West Healthcare NHS Trust: Northwick Park Hospital, Anaesthetics Department

Isolated limb hemorrhage represents 60% of avoidable deaths and remains the leading cause of death in combat zone. Ideal tourniquet must be light, durable and cheap. They should completely stop the flow of arterial blood in the limb, and their attachment should be quick and easy. Tourniquets applied in correct location save lives by stopping the bleeding. Their use in civil environment appear to be particularly relevant in the mass casualties events. Modern bandages used by the military, were designed mostly in the form of an elastic bandage, which attachment has to be easy and quick. Sequential wrapping of elastic dressing around the wound produces compressive force which aim is to stem the bleeding by pressing vessel from the outside. Dressings are made of materials which adhere well to the wound, causing the seal and leave no fragments in the injured tissue. The combination of all components enables fast and effective application of the dressing in the most demanding conditions.

Key words: TCCC, tourniquet, pressure dressing

Pol Med J, 2015; XXXVIII (224); 65–69