Some of you wondered what this Integrated Tourniquet System Blackhawk designed was all about. So in the interest of full disclosure, I’ve posted their video demo on how it works.
Now, some of you wondered about the construction of the ITS into the garments. Basically, the Nylon strap that makes up the bulk of the tourniquet is pretected behind a light, soft mesh retention pouch that keeps the strap from rubbing up against the wearer’s skin. This also helps keep toes and fingers from catching on the ITS straps as the operator dons the garments.
Also, keep an eye on the HPFU entry. I need to remformat some of the promotional pics that I have from my trip to Blackhawk and I’ll post them once they’re done.
– Christian
cheers, christian!
You got it…
Maybe you should be pimping a better manufacturer. Unless of course they paying you? Most that know anything about tactical gear know that Blackhawk is bottom shelf.
In regards to feedback from SEALs in the field. The few I have spoken with do not like the uniform at all.
Mike,
Not pimping, just data dumping (read the last entry on my skepticism of this system)…take it for what it’s worth…
The greatest flaw of the ITS is that the tourniquet straps are fixed in place. All servicemen know from first aid classes they received in basic recruit training that the straps need to be located above and as close to the wound as possible — to preserved the greatest length of limb. Blackhawk needs to go back to the drawing board on this one; the blood-loss straps need to be removable so that they can be applied in the proper location.
after seeing the video i am totally underwhelmed and more than a little skeptical. this system seems to compartmentalize hemorrhage rather than suppressing hemorrhage.
pj busche hit the nail on the head, the tourniquet needs to be applied relative to the wound. i agree that this system needs to be on the drawing board not the battlefield. i’ll clarify that by saying i am not a combat medic but i do study physiology and i’ve spent some significant time with models of fluid regulation disrupted by hemorrhage. stopping blood loss is not the only solution and it is not worth the risk of hypovolemic shock and depolarization within the entire affected limb. i will not go so far as to say the ITS could lead to more harm than good because i don’t have the data, but i sure hope that Blackhawk and their customers have done the math with rigor.
at first blush i had pictured a series of tourniquets along each limb, like webbing. this would increase the resolution of application by having tourniquets in place and optimal for injury at any point in the limb. at that point, however, i imagine the impact of the system on the wearability of the garment would require serious design.
Oh mygoodness. The world becomes bad! its very lugubrious… In africa the peoples need food an d water, and in America you
I keep thinking about buying a pair of these — they’re kind of the ultimate in apocalypse chic for paranoid urban living. More seriously, as someone who’s been trained in first aid, I agree with P.J. that the fixed placement of the straps is a bad idea. Although I can imagine a very, very limited number of situations where this system could save a life, I think there are better options likely to be available 99% of the time.
As a surgeon with 40 years experience, I would much rather deal with the sequelae of a tournequet than tell a family that the patient/operator/officer bled out. Dead is final. Not a perfect system by far. BUT don’t let better be the enemy of good. Sure we would like steak rather than an MRE, but MREs are better than nothing.
As a marine, form LEO and and first responder I feel that the its is a great system to have. It would have saved several of my former platoon members. I have seen Marines step on a mine only to lose a foot, then their lives. A simple and easy to find, use, then tighen tourniquet would have saved five of my friends. I only wish they had them in their uniforms back then. We could all be here chillin now. Istead of the few us us that remain dirnking to their memory…
It may not be a perfect system but it is better than what we have now.….…..
Al White USMC, ACSD, NCDOC, NRVFD
I wouldn’t like to depend on this contraption. Just
remember KISS, keep it simple.…
ankaferd blood stopper
stop bleeding
http://www.ankaferd.name