Comparison of inguinal fist compression versus commercial windlass tourniquet for reduction in femoral artery blood flow by untrained providers: a protocol for a superiority, assessor-blinded, cross-over, randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Effective haemorrhage control is crucial in cases of limb trauma involving arterial injury, such as shark attacks, to prevent potentially fatal outcomes. International first aid consensus recommends the use of arterial tourniquets (proprietary or makeshift) as a primary treatment for life-threatening external bleeding. Manual pressure applied directly over a major artery proximal to the injury, such as inguinal fist compression (IFC), is more accessible in a first-aid situation, but is currently not recommended due to limited evidence. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the application of IFC is superior to commercial windlass tourniquets (CWTs) in reducing blood flow in the femoral artery when performed by untrained bystanders.

Methods and analysis</

SUBMITTER: Bruce K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12542523 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature