Military medicine
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The use of a tourniquet to control bleeding is a necessity in both surgical and prehospital settings. Tourniquet application, if performed properly, can be a lifesaving procedure, particularly in a traumatic setting such as the battlefield. A tourniquet is easily applied and requires the use of a relatively uncomplicated piece of equipment. ⋯ Here we present five case reports of improper tourniquet applications on the battlefield that resulted in nerve damage. We conclude that there is a need for improved training among medical personnel in the use of tourniquets, as well as a need for an adjustable-pressure, commercial-type sphygmomanometer cuff with a large surface area that is appropriate for application to all limbs parts. We also recommend that, in cases requiring the use of a tourniquet, the caregiver remove the tourniquet every 2 hours and assess the bleeding; if the bleeding has stopped, then the tourniquet should be replaced with a pressure bandage to minimize tissue damage.