5 TK Myths

Nice quick read dispelling some common tourniquet falsehoods.

Tools

In the spirit of the Boy Scouts, Be Prepared. Have the tools you need, and the training required to use them.  Carry these tools when you think you may need them, no matter how small the chance seems.

The C-A-T Combat Application Tourniquet is, in my opinion, one of the better options out there. It's not perfect (the windlass was known to break on older versions) but it's easy to use with the correct training (part of the reason there are two of them on my person as I type.)

While this may not be something everyone should carry, it is something worth looking into for first responders, especially LEOs or other personnel working security at large events.  I know I will continue to carry one at least while working when I get home.

SRC...

My Guard and Reserve brothers feel my pain. Combat Lifesaver next week though, hooray combat medicine!

RFAK Parts

Guns, Cars, & Tech has a good post full of links to some of the "big" parts of a Range Firstaid Kit.

RFAK

Basic range trauma kit.  List looks good to me, maybe toss an Israeli bandage in there if you know how to use them.

(h/t SayUncle)

One Handed Tourniquet Application

A couple more realistic methods for self application of a CAT type tourniquet on an injured arm.

Agilite Injured Personnel Carrier

Looks pretty cool, more at SSD, including a video.

Basic idea is a strap system for hands-free casualty evac.

Israeli Bandage Application

Good little refresher video from PerSysMedical (h/t to SSD) on various ways to apply the Israeli Bandage-



I keep one in my range bag, and one in my blowout kit on my vests (personal plate carrier and my Army one.)  They are pretty amazing little things.
(Just a reminder, while a good video, this is no replacement for proper medical training.)

ITS Tactical Trauma Kit

This puppy looks good.



(review from Travis Haley of Haley Strategic)

The pack itself looks to have a great balance of accessibility, layout, and (most awesome) is much more streamlined than any other IFAK or blowout kit pouch I've seen yet.

New Combat Tourniquet

In the form of a Giant zip-tie.  Given the cost and complexity of some of the current combat tourniquets out there, this one should be one to watch.  Hopefully it proves just as effective as some of the current designs.

Rip Shears

Saw these over on SSD, it's a seatbelt cutter that attaches to a pair of EMT shears-

Solidly in the "why the hell didn't I think of that?" category.

It just really caught my eye since I'm trying to figure out a good way to pack all the crap into this new fangled CLS bag the army issued me, including two pairs of those type of shears and a separate Benchmade safety knife.  It would be pretty nice to just have one of those attached to the pair in the front tear-away pocket on the bag...