Tourniquet Application and Wound-Packing in Current Events

In recent years, the importance of bleeding control training has become more visible as emergencies around the world continue to highlight the need for fast and effective intervention. Whether it’s mass shootings, natural disasters, or transportation accidents, the ability to control bleeding immediately after an injury can mean the difference between life and death. Tourniquets and wound-packing have emerged as simple but critical tools that can stabilize a victim long enough to get them to proper care. With this growing awareness, communities and organizations are beginning to push for broader education and access to training equipment that can prepare people to act quickly in high-stress scenarios.

Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death in trauma. This is true not just in warzones but in cities, schools, and public spaces around the world. Programs like “Stop the Bleed” have emerged in response, teaching civilians practical techniques such as wound-packing and effective tourniquet application. While public education is improving, there are still major gaps in training and access to realistic practice. Being able to confidently perform these skills under pressure is essential and training tools that provide visual and tactile feedback help bridge that gap.

During a shooting at a local car wash in May 2023 in Antioch, Tennessee, a man was struck in the upper leg—a location where bleeding can be fatal in minutes. He hurried to a nearby auto shop where a mechanic, without any formal medical training, improvised a tourniquet using the materials available to him. The mechanic’s actions likely saved the man’s life, demonstrating how even basic knowledge of bleeding control can turn a bystander into a lifesaver.

Another example occurred in August 2023 at Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York, where a 65 year-old woman was attacked by a shark while swimming.She suffered a serious wound to her upper thigh, prompting the lifeguards and nearby police to act as quickly as they could with what they had. Using a pair of sweatpants and a buoy rope, they created a makeshift tourniquet to stop the bleeding until emergency responders arrived. Because of the immediate actions of those nearby, the woman was stabilized and transported to the hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition, showing the importance of these kinds of life-saving skills.

Communities and schools are taking action as well. In Gig Harbor, Washington, the Peninsula School District partnered with a local hospital and parent volunteers in 2023 to equip over 600 classrooms with bleeding control kits, including tourniquets and wound-packing materials. Their goal was to train teachers and staff to respond immediately to traumatic injuries on campus.

These are examples of communities that are taking action but this is not what's happening everywhere. Many places around the world lack access to high-quality training tools. RD Medical Training is working to change that. Our tourniquet application and wound-packing training aid is designed to give students a realistic experience of handling traumatic injuries. The device simulates active arterial bleeding and offers visual feedback when a tourniquet is correctly placed or a wound is packed properly. This realism allows trainees to build muscle memory and decision-making skills in an environment that closely mimics real emergencies.

Beyond just learning how to apply a tourniquet, the device helps develop judgment, such as when to pack, when to use pressure, and how to adapt based on the type and location of a wound. This kind of critical thinking training is essential, especially when considering how chaotic and hectic real-world trauma can be. Unlike practicing on mannequins or using fellow trainees, our device introduces variability and responsiveness that forces users to assess and act under stress. By equipping people with not just the knowledge but also the ability to practice with realistic tools, we increase the chances of survival in those critical first minutes after trauma. 

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Sources:

1. Experts to Discuss the Importance of Blood for Trauma Patients Before Arriving at the Hospital | ACS 

2. Tourniquet controls bleeding for man shot at Antioch car wash 

3. Spokesman Review - Tourniquet Saved Leg After Woman Bitten by Shark 

4. Woman attacked by shark on NYC beach was saved by hero lifeguards’ tourniquet made out of sweatpants | The Independent 

5. Parents team with St. Anthony to equip Peninsula school staff with bleeding control kits - Gig Harbor Now