2025, Volume 31, Issue 1

COMBAT TOURNIQUET APPLICATION UNDER INCREASED G-FORCE

MAGDALENA KOZAK¹, DARIA SAŁACIŃSKA², KATARZYNA SOWA², KRZYSZTOF KOWALCZUK²
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¹Aeromedical Centre, Military Institute of Aviation Medicine
²Department of Simulator Studies and Aeromedical Training, Military Institute of Aviation Medicine


Autor korenspondencyjny: MAGDALENA KOZAK; Aeromedical Centre, Military Institute of Aviation Medicine; email: mkozak@wiml.waw.pl

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Streszczenie

Abstract: Data from the literature on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC, TC3) indicate that approximately 60% of all preventable deaths are caused by bleeding from the limbs [3]. Every soldier/officer is trained in the procedure for effective control of extremity hemorrhage using a tourniquet as part of self-aid and buddy aid on the battlefield. Application of a tourniquet is the only recommended intervention during the Care Under Fire (CUF) phase [4].
 Numerous publications in the professional literature describe the use of tourniquets in various situations; however, most studies are conducted under conditions of normal gravitational acceleration. The authors did not identify any studies addressing the use of a tourniquet under conditions of increased G-force.
The present study evaluates the correctness of tourniquet application performed as self-aid under conditions of increased G-force, occurring, among others, during flights of high-maneuverability aircraft. The publication presents partial data collected between June 2024 and September 2025.
During the analyzed period, the study was conducted on a group of 27 participants (8 women and 19 men), consisting of civilians and soldiers. Participants applied a tourniquet three times using the self-aid method: first under normal gravitational conditions (1G), then in a human centrifuge at 2G and 3G. The time required to apply the tourniquet was measured at each stage of the study. The effectiveness of vascular occlusion was assessed by evaluating radial artery blood flow using Doppler ultrasound with a portable ultrasound device. A total of 190 application times were analyzed.
It was demonstrated that, regardless of G-force exposure, the time required to achieve effective occlusion with a tourniquet remained within limits ensuring effective control of hemorrhage from a major blood vessel.

Słowa kluczowe

life-threatening hemorrhage, tourniquet application, G-force