I need a tourniquet and QuikClot

[Danjal]

IIRC I posted somewhere on here about QuikClot and provided the mfg links for the recall.

[jwperry]

Don't use tampons or diapers for hemostatic agents. By design, they're used to wick away and abosrb moisture,  which is the exact opposite of what you want to happen when you're bleeding profusely. You want something that will cause rapid clotting to prevent blood loss.

[FeBolas]

For general knowledge, consider that applying a tourniquet is meant to (and needs to) cut off all circulation beyond that point. Unless a medical facility is reasonably close, there is a good chance the recipient will be losing that limb. Obviously better than dying, but I want to make that clear for anybody who may consider applying one someday.

Making a tourniquet from what you have: you need a thin strong stick (a pen will usually do), and a length of cloth (triangle bandage, or ripped clothing in a bind).

Wrap the length of cloth above the joint nearest the bleed (or nearest the shoulder or hip if applicable) and twist the cloth once; no knot, just one twist. Lay your rod (heh heh) over the twist (I like a half-hitch, but it's not specifically necessary), and then do another of the same over the top of the rod. Turn the rod (tightening the cloth). Stop turning AS SOON as the bloodflow from the wound is no longer significant.

What's "significant?" 1 liter of blood loss in an adult is a lot, but not specifically dangerous. 2 liters is VERY dangerous, depending on size; more for bigger people , less for smaller. Use that as your guide.

Always apply direct pressure to the wound first; elevate the wound above the heart; only apply tourniquet if those things don't work.

[Groovy Mike]

For general knowledge, consider that applying a tourniquet is meant to (and needs to) cut off all circulation beyond that point. Unless a medical facility is reasonably close, there is a good chance the recipient will be losing that limb. Obviously better than dying, but I want to make that clear for anybody who may consider applying one someday.

Making a tourniquet from what you have: you need a thin strong stick (a pen will usually do), and a length of cloth (triangle bandage, or ripped clothing in a bind).

Wrap the length of cloth above the joint nearest the bleed (or nearest the shoulder or hip if applicable) and twist the cloth once; no knot, just one twist. Lay your rod (heh heh) over the twist (I like a half-hitch, but it's not specifically necessary), and then do another of the same over the top of the rod. Turn the rod (tightening the cloth). Stop turning AS SOON as the bloodflow from the wound is no longer significant.

What's "significant?" 1 liter of blood loss in an adult is a lot, but not specifically dangerous. 2 liters is VERY dangerous, depending on size; more for bigger people , less for smaller. Use that as your guide.

Always apply direct pressure to the wound first; elevate the wound above the heart; only apply tourniquet if those things don't work.

and don't forget that a tourniquet CAN BE LOOSENED to restore circulation once any immediate danger of bleeding out has passed.

[Carl in CT]

I don't know much about this but my wife is a school nurse with pretty much no budget to work with. She works with an excellent CT state police officer who was one of the early responders at Sandy Hook. He has helped her put together a low budget trauma kit for the school. I can ask her what exactly he recommended but I remember quick clot (we donated some for the school and got some for ourselves). I think we got some form of tourniquet too but I forget what type. I know he told her to always keep duct tape and gauze on hand. I can see where you can do a lot with those two items in a pinch if not much else is available. I'm pretty sure we got the QC and tourniquet off Amazon.

He also told her to get familiar with the fire extinguishers for fires of course, but also for defensive uses. He said if an attacker gets a face full of fire extinguishing foam it will slow him down enough to escape, especially if you whack him over the head with the extinguisher on your way out. If one of the brave teachers who tried to stop that monster at Sandy Hook had been able to shoot a fire extinguisher in his face then conk him out with it things might have been a little different, maybe.

[Scratch]

Thanks all, I did end up getting the QC and tourniquet off Amazon.  They are on my belt and ready to use. Hopefully I'll never have to.

[FeBolas]

and don't forget that a tourniquet CAN BE LOOSENED to restore circulation once any immediate danger of bleeding out has passed.

In a non-SHTF situation, the tourniquet should be left in place until a hospital takes it off; if you actually need a tourniquet, it's not going to stop bleeding on its own without surgery.

In a SHTF situation, yeah, I guess eventually you'll have to loosen it, but I stand with my "if you actually need the tourniquet, you're probably going to lose the limb without intervention at a hospital" stance.

Tourniquets are nasty things, and should be a last resort. Your laceration needs to be one bad mofo, gushing despite prolonged direct pressure, before you think tourniquet.

[BatBoy2 75]

For general knowledge, consider that applying a tourniquet is meant to (and needs to) cut off all circulation beyond that point. Unless a medical facility is reasonably close, there is a good chance the recipient will be losing that limb. Obviously better than dying, but I want to make that clear for anybody who may consider applying one someday.

Making a tourniquet from what you have: you need a thin strong stick (a pen will usually do), and a length of cloth (triangle bandage, or ripped clothing in a bind).

Wrap the length of cloth above the joint nearest the bleed (or nearest the shoulder or hip if applicable) and twist the cloth once; no knot, just one twist. Lay your rod (heh heh) over the twist (I like a half-hitch, but it's not specifically necessary), and then do another of the same over the top of the rod. Turn the rod (tightening the cloth). Stop turning AS SOON as the bloodflow from the wound is no longer significant.

What's "significant?" 1 liter of blood loss in an adult is a lot, but not specifically dangerous. 2 liters is VERY dangerous, depending on size; more for bigger people , less for smaller. Use that as your guide.

Always apply direct pressure to the wound first; elevate the wound above the heart; only apply tourniquet if those things don't work.

Yes and no. Depends on the time the tourniquet is on; you can surprisingly keep a tourniquet on for a long time. Unless you are way out n the sticks; you are not going to lose a limb with a tourniquet on in the USA.

SHTF? Now we are in losing a limb a category.

[Darts2116]

I started putting my first aid kit together with gear From Strike Hard who is a member on this site.
http://strikehardgear.com/tactical-kit

He had good prices.  He does not have quick clot but I thought his platoon kit was a good starting point.  I also bought one each of the Israeli bandages.
his shipping was fast.
http://strikehardgear.com/tactical-kit