Esmarch haemostatic harness: features and application

In case of injury or open fracture, heavy bleeding is possible. Of these, arterial - the most dangerous among other species. If a large vessel is damaged, the patient may die from bleeding in 2-3 minutes. Such patients require urgent medical assistance, consisting in stopping blood flow in this area. If the upper or lower extremity is damaged, then a haemostatic forceps Esmarch is used. There are other types of supplies for stopping blood, but the principle of overlapping and the algorithm of actions do not differ.

The Esmarch type hemostatic rubber harness is the most convenient and practical in such situations. It is a rubber tape (less often - a tube) with a length of 1.5 meters. On the one hand, the surface is slightly convex, and on the other - concave. The Esmarch hemostatic rubber harness has a chain and a hook for fixation in its construction at the ends.

Indications for use

This device is used by medical personnel strictly according to the indications. Vessel pressing is carried out in such cases:

• With arterial bleeding;
• During operations to stop blood flow;
• With intravenous injection;
• To take blood from the vein for analysis;
• Sometimes a tourniquet is placed on the carotid artery using a tire.

The device can be imposed as an arterial tourniquet (to stop bleeding) and as venous (for taking blood or for parenteral administration of medicines). They differ in the force of squeezing.

Stages of harnessing

The haemostatic forceps of the Esmarch type for squeezing the artery are superimposed according to the following rules:

1. The patient's arm or leg occupies an elevated position to reduce blood flow.
2. To prevent pinch of the skin and minimize pain, a towel or cloth is placed under the tow.
3. On the lower extremity, the haemostasis harness Esmarch is applied to the thigh (except for its distal third, there are a large number of tendons). On the upper - on the shoulder (except for the middle part, where the nerve trunks pass, there is a threat of squeezing them).
4. Under the limb, stretch the ribbon concave side inwards so that the left part is shorter than the right.
5. Tighten the tourniquet and right hand from the bottom up, applying effort, make a turn to the left, grasping the limb.
6. The next turn is done similarly. Each subsequent layer is slightly weakened, it must overlap the previous one in order to prevent pinching of soft tissues.
7. Fasten the hook on a chain or knotted.
8. When a trauma is injected with narcotic analgesics and immobilization of the limb.

Performance monitoring

The Esmarch haemostatic harness is correctly applied if:

• The bleeding stopped;
• There is no pulsation on the artery;
• The arm or leg is pale and cold.

If the limb at the end of the procedure turned blue, this means that the veins are compressed, and the artery is not blocked. A venous tourniquet is applied. It is necessary to repeat the procedure and tighten the tape more tightly.

Under the top coil, place a small note with the indicated time of manipulation. In the cold season, the duration of the procedure should not exceed 30 minutes (must be covered), in the warm - up to 1 hour. After the expiration of this time, the device needs to be removed for a few minutes to restore blood circulation. At this time, the artery is clamped with the finger method. Manipulation can be repeated, but already higher than the previous place. It is desirable that two people deal with the injured. One removes the tourniquet, the other clamps the vessel. The total time should not exceed 2 hours. Otherwise, necrosis may occur.

Contraindications to its application

But it is not always possible to apply Esmarch's haemostatic tourniquet. Contraindicated is the stopping of blood in the following cases:

• Children under the age of 3 years (apply finger compression);
• Anaerobic infection;
• With a purulent lesion of the site of exposure;
• If there is severe arteriosclerosis.

During transportation, the limb should be elevated. If it is immobilized, the harness should not be closed. The patient is immediately hospitalized for the final provision of necessary medical care.

Hemostatic haemorrhagic cord Esmarch is a necessary device for stopping arterial bleeding, serves for the temporary cessation of blood flow. Its presence is necessary at all emergency and medical stations. Correct and timely use of it has saved more than one life.