Page 49 - JSOM Fall 2025

processes and one concerning times associated with those non-self- securing strap-securing systems considered highly
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processes. In brief, after watching a 6:13 minute general tour- similar were the hook-and-loop of the CAT7, TMT, and OMT.
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niquet video and all eight 35 to 56 second specific- tourniquet-
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design application training videos, 4–11 eight similarly presented The tightening systems considered highly similar for under-
tourniquet designs 12–19 were applied by each applier to a live standing and using were the windlass-rod systems of the
recipient’s thigh. CAT7, SOFTTW3, SOFTTW5, and TMT, and the ratcheting-
buckle systems of the OMT, Tac RMT, and RST (though the
Tourniquets RST ratcheting buckle has a non-shared release location under
Tourniquet parts and activities were divided into the strap and the advancing lever). The non-self-securing rod-securing sys-
redirect buckle (“strap/redirect system”) and the tightening sys- tems of the CAT7, SOFTTW3, SOFTTW5, and TMT were not
tem. As shown in Figure 1, the shared general design features considered highly similar.
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were the presence or absence of a strap/redirect- system clip
(no clip: CAT7, OMT, Tac RMT; clip: SOFTTW3, SOFTTW5, (Strictly for researching SOFTTW3 rod-securing-related diffi-
TMT, X8T, RST), whether strap/redirect systems were self- culties imposed by the securing triangle, appliers were shown
securing (not self-securing: CAT7, TMT, OMT; self-securing: rod-securing use of the SOFTTW5 bracket, making rod secur-
SOFTTW3, SOFTTW5, X8T, Tac RMT, RST), whether tight- ing different for these two tourniquets in the study. In clinical
ening systems were self-securing (not self- securing: CAT7, use, the rod of any version of SOFTTW is to be secured in the
SOFTTW3, SOFTTW5, TMT; self-securing: OMT, X8T, Tac triangle.)
RMT, RST) and the tightening-system plane of rotation (par-
allel to the limb: CAT7, SOFTTW3, SOFTTW5, TMT, X8T; Appliers
perpendicular to the limb: OMT, Tac RMT, RST). Appliers were a convenience sample of 64 adults. The sub-
set defined as experienced had defined, extensive tourniquet-
Highly Similar, Shared-Design Features application experience to live, uninjured humans with audible
The strap/redirect systems considered highly similar for un- Doppler feedback with at least one of the eight tourniquets
derstanding and using were the simple redirects with hook- before the study (a small subset of the 31 appliers with any
and-loop securing of the CAT7 and OMT, and the slider experience). The subset defined as no-experience had no
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buckles with clips of the SOFTTW3 and SOFTTW5. The tourniquet-application-related experience before the study. 1
FIGURE 1 Tourniquets.
Features are indicated above and below the tourniquets. From LEFT TO RIGHT the tourniquets are Combat Application Tourniquet Generation 7
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(CAT7), SOF Tactical Tourniquet–Wide Generation 3 (SOFTTW3), SOF Tactical Tourniquet – Wide Generation 5 prototype (SOFTTW5),
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Tactical Mechanical Tourniquet (TMT), OMNA Marine Tourniquet Gen 2 (OMT), X8T-Tourniquet (X8T), Tactical Ratcheting Medi-
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cal Tourniquet (Tac RMT), and RapidStop Tourniquet (RST). Figure is reproduced with permission from Wall PL, Buising CM, Jensen J,
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White A, Davis J, Renner CH. Effects of Tourniquet Features on Application Processes. J Spec Oper Med. 2023 December 29;23(4):11–30.
doi:10.55460/8FFG-1Q48. Copyright 2023 Breakaway Media, LLC.

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