Bungee Tourniquet

[Iraq Ninja]

Just saw this new item at Blackheart International. Interesting concept, and I am all for smaller, lighter, and better. But I want to wait till I hear some feedback from medical SMIs.

http://www.bhigear.com/bungee_tourniquet.aspx

http://www.bhigear.com/images/products/detail/bungeetourniquet.jpg

Price will be 9.95 when they are back in stock.


http://www.bhigear.com/images/applying-bungee.jpg

[SeriousStudent]

I am curious how the width of the cord impacts the efficiency of the device.

Granted, things have changed a great deal since my days as a paramedic. We were still using leeches and incantations then. I do remember this new thing called "gauze".

But I do recall a stated desire that TQ straps be at least an inch wide. But if you wrapped the bungee correctly, you might get that inch.

Thanks for the heads up on the new gear, and stay safe. I hope you get to watch the Red River shootout today. ;)

[BAC]

Like SeriousStudent, my understanding of effective tourniquets require a little width for the strap. Screwing around a little with my CAT touni, which has a fairly wide strap, I'd hate to imagine the strap being any narrower.


-B

[ST911]

Recognizing that anything is better than bleeding to death, I, too find the OD of the bungee strap small. TQs should be at least 1" wide to provide effective compression, and prevent the circumferential tissue damage a smaller strap does.

I know I would not be able to get them cleared for field trials in EMS.

Last resort/contingency personal use only.

[NinjaMedic]

Depends on the material, surgical tubing has long been accepted as an effective tourniquet when wrapped around a limb a sufficient number of times. If you can pull it tight enough (like surgical tubing not automotive bungee cords) you merely have to wrap it a sufficient number of times to create a 1-2" pressure surface. The bigger question is whether or not you can quickly and efficiently place it into service one handed, and does it have an acceptably small footprint when stowed.

[Cold Zero]

It looks too narrow to me. I would pass on that.

[benthughes]

Seems as though you wrap it a couple times effectively increasing the surface area. Seems pretty fast but not quite as fast as some that you can leave in place on your limbs and deploy them when they're needed.

[M Atwood]

I'd pass. That thin, the risk of tissue damage is too high IMO.
Something like the SWAT Tourniquet or the H&H TOuniquik 4 would be a better, low cost, small size, option without the risks.

[Gomez]

I know guys that have been carrying bungee TQs for years now. They aren't terribly dissimilar to the rubber tubing TQ that was suggested for military issue as far back as 1945 and was recommended for issue within the Canadian military in late 2004.

[NinjaMedic]

Cause it works. Its cheap, simple, effective, and readily available. (used to be)

What it is NOT is easy to apply one handed. It is only effective for treating others.

And again the size of the tubing is not a concern. You wrap it 4-5 times around the limb creating a diffuse pressure surface rather than simply pulling it tight enough to pinch off the blood flow.

Just because it works as a tourniquet doesnt make it a good choice for taking care of yourself if you get hit.

[MIKE G]

.......

[mkmckinley]

I've never seen that product used much less used it myself. It may work great. However it seems like bungee might have trouble applying enough pressure to stop a really bad bleed. I'll be sticking with my CAT's and SOF-T's for now.

[CENTCOM_Survivor]

Here we are six years later with the RATS, what are your thoughts?

[Hmac]

L
Depends on the material, surgical tubing has long been accepted as an effective tourniquet when wrapped around a limb a sufficient number of times. If you can pull it tight enough (like surgical tubing not automotive bungee cords) you merely have to wrap it a sufficient number of times to create a 1-2" pressure surface. The bigger question is whether or not you can quickly and efficiently place it into service one handed, and does it have an acceptably small footprint when stowed.

Surgical tubing works fine and is entirely acceptable as a venous tourniquet. I'm not aware of anyone that would recommend it as a primary means of controlling arterial bleeding. As was mentioned, however, I'm sure it's a reasonable alternative to exsanguination. I wouldn't ever recommend it as an alternative to any of the other, many, affordable and readily available actual field tourniquets on the market. Personally, I'd use a belt before I'd resort to something like that.

[Caduceus]

Here we are six years later with the RATS, what are your thoughts?

Never used it, but I still see the CAT and SOF-T as the main recommendations. I think that's your answer.

[acjones20]

Stick with CAT and the like...you need to be able to use a tourniquet effectively when your hands are covered in blood. This makes the tourniquet slick and your hands slick and gummy. Anything narrower than a CAT will cause some tissue damage when you get it cranked down also. A wide tourniquet (blood pressure cuffs are still my favorite in hospital, not as effective in the field) allow you some room to work, a surface to write on (important) and some durability. Is this going to break when you're getting someone in a litter, or when you're being banged around in the back of a truck? This is not where you want to skimp.

[lunchbox]

Here we are six years later with the RATS, what are your thoughts?Saw where ITS Tactical talked about this recently http://www.itstactical.com/medcom/medical/is-the-r-a-t-s-tourniquet-misleading-consumers-with-tccc-approval/.

[CENTCOM_Survivor]

Saw where ITS Tactical talked about this recently http://www.itstactical.com/medcom/medical/is-the-r-a-t-s-tourniquet-misleading-consumers-with-tccc-approval/.

Yep, and it brought out the best in some people:

http://www.havokjournal.com/nation/when-its-tactical-attacks-other-veterans/

[lunchbox]

Yep, and it brought out the best in some people:

http://www.havokjournal.com/nation/when-its-tactical-attacks-other-veterans/Yup I saw that too... And just now noticed your sig line.

[CENTCOM_Survivor]

Yup I saw that too... And just now noticed your sig line.

Yep, nothing to hide here, I gave Bryan the information I had from the SOMSA C-TECC meeting for the article. This thread going back to 2009 was brought my my attention and I was curious what people thought six years later.

[krm375]

R.A.T.S.
QUALITY MATERIALS
We use only the best materials. We've been in pretty tough situations and know that only the best will work when lives are on the line. The R.A.T.S. Tourniquet is comprised of a flat, solid vulcanized rubber core with a vinyl sheath and a sturdy solid metal cleat

I have used the CAT and The SOFT- W as a standard still have both in my kits, but I also carry the RATS, thread it through my belt loops or slip into a pocket. It is not an automotive Bungee it is not a regular bungee the solid vulcanized rubber core is tough

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-vulcanized-rubber.htm#didyouknowout.

The multiple wraps keep the TQ wide, if you have not tried one of these they are definitely worth looking into.

[Psybain]

I wouldn't waste my money on anything that can't be applied with one hand

[Rhino8541]

The R.A.T.S guys show it being applied with one hand in certain circumstances.