Off Duty, Technology - Air Force Times

New utility trousers feature built-in tourniquets

NORFOLK, Va. — Seeing a man bleed to death while trapped in a Humvee in Afghanistan was a moment of inspiration for Dr. Keith Rose.

“By the time we cut him out, it was too late,” said Rose, a surgeon whose work with a nonprofit organization frequently takes him to the war zone.

The results of his inspiration were unveiled at the Norfolk, Va., headquarters of gear manufacturer Blackhawk Products Group: A pair of tan hiking pants with four built-in tourniquets.

Given the effectiveness of modern body armor, it is the serious injuries to arms and legs that are causing troops to die of blood loss before a tourniquet can be applied or aid can be sought, Rose explained. The four easy-to-access tourniquets built into the trousers — one at the upper and lower portion of each leg — will allow the wearer or an aid provider to quickly stop major bleeding.

Blackhawk Products will manufacture Rose’s innovation and plans to incorporate the tourniquet system into current utility uniforms. A tourniquet-equipped shirt is also in the works.

Blackhawk expects to have the pants available by early 2008; prices are not set as yet, but company president and former Navy SEAL Mike Noell put the expected cost at near $100 each. The pants are intended not only for military personnel but law enforcement and outdoorsmen who might find themselves with an unexpected and traumatic arm or leg wound.

In a demonstration for members of the media and military, Rose showed how the wearer can lift up flaps beneath the front pockets and with a few quick twists of the web device beneath, tie off a major leg wound.

“Any extremity bleed-out is a preventable death,” he said.

Field medics and individual troops carry tourniquets, but the tourniquet pants could be useful for those inside cramped vehicles or aircraft who are out of the reach of easy aid.

“If you can slam a magazine into a long gun, you can tighten one of these,” Rose said. “It’s not rocket science, but it’s the immediate application.”

While there is still some disagreement within the medical community and the military about the use of tourniquets, Noell said the product will be available for individuals and will also be offered to government buyers.