Increasing Confidence in Performance of Non-Pneumatic Limb Tourniquets

摘要

Severe hemorrhaging from extremity wounds is a preventable cause of death with the timely use of effective limb tourniquets. There are known incidents of tourniquets failing and reports of counterfeit tourniquets being sold, but there is currently no standard by which to verify the performance of non-pneumatic limb tourniquets. The InterAgency Board for Emergency Preparedness and Response identified the need for a performance standard, and the ASTM E54 Committee on Homeland Security Applications is answering the call. A group of interested stakeholders, including end users, manufacturers, federal agencies, researchers, certifiers, and testing laboratories, is collaborating to develop a performance specification, including test methods and a standardized test fixture, and certification requirements for non-pneumatic limb tourniquets.