Tourniquet Myths

Screenshots live forever!

The comment above was posted on social media a few months ago. It is a perfect example of some of the mythology around tourniquet application. I planned to address this sooner but I have been deployed with little to no interweb access.

Big Words aren't Scary

A post shared by Whiskey Delta Gulf (@whiskeydeltagulf) on May 27, 2018 at 3:55am PDT

Vocabulary: noun, plural vo·cab·u·lar·ies. A list or collection of the words or phrases of a language or technical field. See also lexicon, jargon, argot, parlance or lingo.

Selecting Tactical Medicine Course

I have read many articles about how to select a firearms academy or tactical instructor. But, I have yet to see one on the selection of a tactical medicine program or course. There are similarities in the selection process but there are a few distinct differences that are very important. How do I know this is a successful recipe for this type of training? I was part of the CAF TCCC program that taught thousands of soldiers Combat First Aid and TCCC for their deployments to Afghanistan. The Canadian Armed Forces had an unheard of 100% preventable death save rate during that conflict.

Improvised Wound Simulators

Yoga Blocks

One of the most important hemorrhage control interventions taught on the CTOMS POD Survival Course, or any proper tactical medicine course, is wound packing. 

PODS™ Practical - 24 Feb 2018

Myths in Tactical Medicine

Identification has been redacted
to protect the guilty

There are a few common myths within First Aid and Tactical Trauma Care that will not go away. Worse yet, they are dogmatically propagated Ad Populum with significant evidence to the contrary. Ad Populum is Latin for "argument to the people". It is the erroneous reasoning that presumes that a proposition is true because of its popularity: "If many believe so, it is so." This is epidemic in the Internet Age especially in the tactical community.

30 Dec 17 POD Survival AAR

A post shared by Whiskey Delta Gulf (@whiskeydeltagulf) on Dec 30, 2017 at 2:38am PST

PODS™ Practical - 30 Dec 17

A post shared by Whiskey Delta Gulf (@whiskeydeltagulf) on Dec 9, 2017 at 6:52am PST

C-A-T: Self Aid Lower Limb

Just a short and simple video demonstrating proper application of a Combat Application Tourniquet for Self Aid on a lower limb.

Ryker Nylon Gear AFAK (Ankle First Aid Kit)

Ryker Nylon Gear AFAK

The CTOMS Covert Ankle Medical Kit or C-MAK

A photo posted by Whiskey Delta Gulf (@whiskeydeltagulf) on Jun 13, 2016 at 8:05am PDT

Not everyone can carry a med pouch in their everyday situation on their body. It is just not realistic. Everyday carry bags can be lost or not on your person during disasters, dangerous encounters and active shooter attacks. On-the-body carry is always preferable to off-the-body. This is why the Covert Ankle Medical Kit (C-MAK) is such a viable option for many people.

SOF Tactical Tourniquet Application

You are awaken by the sound of an intruder in your house. To ensure your family's safety, you move to a position of advantage. Shots are exchanged. 

The intruder is down and you are hit in the arm.

ARTERIAL TOURNIQUETS for Police Officers, Law Enforcement and Other First Responders

A photo posted by Whiskey Delta Gulf (@whiskeydeltagulf) on Oct 4, 2016 at 2:32pm PDT

A month ago, I was contact by TacMed Australia. I was asked if I could read and review an E-Book that would be going public on 10 October 2016. I enthusiastically agreed to this request as I was selected because I am an experienced tactical medicine practitioner, instructor and proponent.

SOF Tactical Tourniquet Application

Wasted time is blood on the sand; not in the body

A photo posted by Whiskey Delta Gulf (@whiskeydeltagulf) on Apr 10, 2016 at 6:34am PDT

"IMO tourniquets are a last ditch effort. If the bleeding is going to result in immediate death use it. But if not, you may be causing a unneeded amputation. Get educated on medical before using it please." ~posted by a nursing student in a tactical forum

CTOMS Emergency Trauma Aid Kit (E-TAK)

A photo posted by Whiskey Delta Gulf (@whiskeydeltagulf) on Jun 7, 2016 at 7:28am PDT

A few months ago I ordered a CTOMS Emergency Trauma Aid Kit Base or E-TAK™. Stored in a Ziploc bag, it is perfect to throw in your glove box, range bag or go bag.  As the contents of the kit are fundamental to Tactical Trauma Care, the E-TAK can be used as the basis for building or replenishing kit with in an active team.

Bulldog Loadouts: MASSCAS Chest

Capt P, the American PA I worked with in a NATO camp during my most recent deployment to Afghanistan went to Yale University. The Yale football team is the Yale Bulldogs. In an homage to his varsity team, all the load list for medical gear were prefaced with the 'Bulldog" identifier. This is a series of articles on specific loadouts that we packed to support distinct roles within our camp emergency plan. There will be no coverage of the emergency plan or mass casualty plan in this series as the camp is still operational. The gear and supplies used were limited to the supply chain and represent best possible practice at that current time.

MASSCAS Box

Achilles Tendon Rupture: Squeeze Test

During a clinical encounter while on PA training rotations, I managed have my camera handy. This is a breakdown of the Simmonds or Thompson Squeeze test. 

Bulldog Loadouts: Fluids Bags

Capt P, the American PA I worked with in a NATO camp during my most recent deployment to Afghanistan went to Yale University. The Yale football team is the Yale Bulldogs. In an homage to his varsity team, all the load list for medical gear were prefaced with the 'Bulldog" identifier. This is a series of articles on specific loadouts that we packed to support distinct roles within our camp emergency plan. There will be no coverage of the emergency plan or mass casualty plan in this series as the camp is still operational. The gear and supplies used were limited to the supply chain and represent best possible practice at that current time.

Fluids Bag

Bulldog Loadouts: The Physician Assistant Bag

Then, Lt P and I orientating 
ourselves to our new location.

Capt P, the American PA I worked with in a NATO camp during my most recent deployment to Afghanistan went to Yale University. The Yale football team is the Yale Bulldogs. In an homage to his varsity team, all the load list for medical gear were prefaced with the 'Bulldog" identifier. This is a series of articles on specific loadouts that we packed to support distinct roles within our camp emergency plan. There will be no coverage of the emergency plan or mass casualty plan in this series as the camp is still operational. The gear and supplies used were limited to the supply chain and represent best possible practice at that current time.

Physician Assistant Medical Bag