Garrot et grand froid: Possible ? ET bien OUI

Tourniquet self-application assessment in cold
weather conditions

Benítez YC et al. BMC Emergency Medicine (2023) 23:101

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Le chox d'un garrot tactique n'est pas simple. Le CAT et le SOF-T sont parmi les plus répanduS. LE CoTCCC a évalué ses tourniquets et fait quelques propositions (1). Ces dernières ne prennet pas en compte certains besoins spécifiques comme leur emploi en zone grand froid ou en milieu maritime salin. C'est ce que propose de faire ce travail. Deux remarques: le SOFT-T ne fait pas partie des dispositifs testés. Le garrot OMNA semble être celui dont l'emploi est le plus facile dans ce contexte. Il ne s'agit pas d'un tourniquet mais d'un garrot à crématillère.

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Background

Our study aimed to assess the ability of nonmedical civilians to self-apply extremity tourniquets in coldv weather conditions while wearing insulating technical clothing after receiving basic training.

Methods

A field study was conducted among 37 voluntary participants of an expedition party to the Spanish Antarctic base. The researchers assessed the participant’s ability to self-apply five commercial extremity tourniquets (CAT, OMNA, RMT, SWAT-T, and RATS) over cold-weather clothing and their achieved effectiveness for vascular occlusion. Upper extremity self-application was performed with a single-handed technique (OHT), and lower extremity applying a two-handed technique (THT). Perceptions of self-application ease mean values±standard
deviation (SD) were compared by applying a 5% statistical significance threshold. Frequency count determined tourniquet preference.

Results

All the tested ETs, except the SWAT-T, were properly self-applied with an OHT, resulting in effective vascular occlusion in the upper extremity. The five devices tested were self-applied correctly in the lower extremities using THT.

The ratcheting marine-designed OMNA ranked the highest for application easiness on both the upper and lower extremities, and the windlass CAT model was the preferred device by most participants.

Conclusions

Civilian extremity tourniquet self-application on both upper and lower extremities can be
accomplished in cold weather conditions despite using cold-weather gloves and technical clothing after receiving brief training. The ratcheting marine-designed OMNA ranked the highest for application ease, and the windlass CAT model was the preferred device