The SWAT-Tourniquet is a unique and multipurpose dressing. Its name
provides a description for usage Stretch, Wrap, and Tuck, but also the
communities for whom it was developed - military and civilian Special
Weapons and Tactics teams. These teams operate in an environment that
has a high incidence of penetrating trauma, and most (two-thirds) of
preventable deaths in the operational environment are from extremity
bleeding.
The SWAT-Tourniquet allows a more rapid means to control
extremity bleeding and allows application higher into the groin and
axilla than other tourniquets. Its ease of application is one of its
greatest benefits; individuals can effectively apply it in seconds with
little to no prior training. At a third of the cost and weight of other
combat used tourniquets, this tourniquet should find its way forward
with every tactical operator.
The SWAT-T is a latex-free multipurpose device!
Other tourniquets are a
one-use device. As we know the operational environment requires
personnel and equipment to be both durable and versatile.
The SWAT-T is a durable tourniquet. It has been advanced aged and heat/cold tested.
This device will not fail!
The SWAT-T's shelf life is a minimum of 3 years.
Tourniquet:
A tourniquet is to be applied when bleeding is severe (arterial) and
loss of life is of greatest concern. In most patients tourniquets have
proven to be safe for a minimum of two hours, and for up to 6 hours
without problems. When used properly all tourniquets may cause loss of
limb. This is a necessary risk, to bring our patients home at the end
of the day. Pressure Dressing:
The SWAT-T can and should be used as a pressure dressing. When
hemorrhage is controlled or for venous and capillary oozing. Place your
sterile dressing (or standard gauze) then wrap the SWAT-T around the
extremity. You can then tuck or tape the end, which will maintain
pressure on the wound (preventing further contamination and
re-bleeding). If the endpoints are met on the dressing you may have a
tourniquet and should check for good blood return in the extremity
(pulse and capillary refill), or you risk the complications associated
with all tourniquets. Pressure dressings should be left in place until
definitive wound management can be accomplished.
Elastic Bandage:
The SWAT-T can and should be used as an elastic bandage (example: ACE
Wrap ™). Use the dressing to hold ice near sprains and strains,
stabilize a twisted knee/ankle, or to sling a shoulder. The dressing
can also be used to loosely apply pressure across the chest or abdomen.
This can be to help close and protect wounds, contain abdominal
contents in evisceration, or to assist in stabilization of the pelvis
in blunt pelvic trauma. The SWAT-T can be used to splint an extremity
to the body, other leg, or to a rigid object for immobilization.
Background:
The SWAT-T was developed by a former Operator/Medic with 14 years
experience in Operational Medicine -former USAF Pararescue Journeyman
(Para-Jumper or PJ)), Contractor DoJ/FBI SWAT Operations, National
Registry Paramedic, and Emergency Medicine Physician.
Videos
Click Here for videos of the SWAT-T Tactical Tourniquet.
Physical Properties of the SWAT-T™ and durability testing
Minimum recommended operating temp. -65° F (-53° C)
Maximum recommended operating temp. 180° F (82° C)
Preferred long-term storage conditions cool and dry environment.
Compatibility
Electrical Resistivity - excellent
Dielectric Strength - excellent
Water Resistance - excellent
Abrasion Resistance - excellent
Resiliency - excellent
Alkali - good
Oxidation - good
Heat Aging Resistance - good
Acid (dilute)- good
Acid (concentrate) - fair
Gas Permeability - fair
Petroleum Products - not recommended
Cyclic
loading occurred at > 5000 cycles of 250% strain. This test yielded
results that were similar between the pre-stretched trial and after
5000 stretches (at 250% strain).
This testing is well beyond what is needed for the SWAT-T™ to function as a tourniquet.
The SWAT-T™ has been tested
to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and frozen for weeks. The SWAT-T™ has been
brought to 212 degrees (in boiling water) and allowed to cool to room
temperature.
Heat and cold tested devices performed well immediately after removal from their respective environments.
***While durable and
multi-purpose, the SWAT-T™ is still a medical device and should be
treated as such. Damaged or soiled devices should be discarded
(bio-hazard if soiled). Training should be accomplished with a device
dedicated for training.
Durability testing results
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SWAT-T 
