We are responding to a need for large numbers of tourniquets in Ukraine
About half of all of all preventable deaths can be avoided with a small tourniquet. A kit that you can carry in your pocket and administer by your self with one hand.
A relatively small wound to an artery can cause rapid death. We are trying to send as many tourniquet kits and pressure bandage kits as possible into Ukraine.
People on the ground are carrying them on into restricted zones where they are saving lives every day.
This simple item that fits in a pocket can save someone’s life
Secondly, we are sourcing Pressure Bandages, for the ongoing care of people with wounds that need ongoing direct pressure after the wound has been stabilized and in some other situations.
Both tourniquets and pressure bandages are in short supply, especially in rural areas. With the government so overwhelmed with the survival of the country, churches and NGO’s are stepping up to meet the need.
How and when a tourniquet can save a life
Like anything medical, if 3 people are talking you will have four or five opinions.
But in the simplest of understandings:
Tourniquets save lives …
- when a person is alone and gets hurt.
- where bleeding cannot be stopped by direct pressure.
- when there is no such thing as an ambulance or EMT to come help you (as in Ukraine)
- If bleeding cannot be stopped with immediate and simultaneous application of direct pressure and elevation.
- If direct pressure cannot be sustained for whatever reason, even if it is working. (ie. an injured person has no other recourse but to walk for help etc.)
In Ukraine, the risk of life threatening injury is everywhere !
For additional reading/information
Here is a link to a good article about the use of tourniquets in first aid.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/tourniquet-for-first-aid-kit-4107507
Here is a link to a good article about the difference and use of Pressure bandages.