Rotating Tourniquets

[Chief1C]

So... Explain this to me.

We're in the ambo, going toward ALS, providing the Stare of Life. Driver yells back "30 years ago, we'd start rotating tourniquets"...and on we go. Throws stuff out like that from time to time.

Explain to me "Rotating Tourniquets"..and go.

[mobey]

I have actually seen this done during arm surgeries in the OR.

Basically they use inflatable tourniquets about the size of a belt. They put 2 on.

You just inflate one, then after some time passes, inflate the other one, and deflate the first one.

The idea is to reduce necrosis under the actual tourniquet.

IMO; Good idea in the controlled setting of the OR.... maybe not so much in the ambulance?

[chbare]

At one time people used this modality because they thought it would decrease after load and myocardial work load in patients experiencing decompensated CHF and cardiogenic pulmonary oedema.

Take care,

chbare.

[medicgirl05]

Good post...

Ive never heard of this. I just learned something new. The idea of rotating tourniguets sounds good in theory, though not something I'd put in my bag of tools...

Thanks for sharing!

[HERBIE1]

chbare nailed it.

We used to carry them in a plastic box- think a standard first aid kit. Personally, I never used them- they simply collected dust until they were finally removed from our system. I believe it was finally proven that they didn't actually work.

Memories...

[tniuqs]

At one time people used this modality because they thought it would decrease after load and myocardial work load in patients experiencing decompensated CHF and cardiogenic pulmonary oedema.

Take care,

chbare.

While we are reminiscing about the old days, one amp of bicarb for witnessed arrest, 2 amps for unwitnessed arrest.

Ever use 90% etoh nebulised for Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema ?

I swear it works but it is never used any more, a bit of a fire hazard possibly ?

ps Mobey your way too young ! LOL.

[mobey]

ps Mobey your way too young ! LOL.

Ya, I was waay off

[celticcare]

Put the mast suit on upside down?

[Richard B the EMT]

I seem to recall it fell from favor, as personnel would use the procedure on an arm they had just put large bore IVs into, defeating the reason for the IV.

[medicgirl05]

I seem to recall it fell from favor, as personnel would use the procedure on an arm they had just put large bore IVs into, defeating the reason for the IV.

HAHA!

Reminds me of my paramedic class...Instructor asks where you tie the tourniquet when you do an EJ. Student(not me!) responds----Around the neck!

Seriously??? The rest of us just sat in stunned silence....