First Impressions: RapidStop Tourniquet First Aid

The global COVID-19 pandemic is reminding America of many things that we NRA members have known for a long time: During times of crisis, you may need to be your own first responder. Even when we're not dealing with rogue viruses, dedicated outdoorspeople know that accidents can happen while you're out in the backwoods, so we pay close attention to our emergency first-aid kits...and know that a tourniquet can make the difference between life and death for someone suffering arterial bleeding. That's why we took note of the release of the new RapidStop Tourniquet. Developed at MIT and perfected by EMS, the RapidStop was designed to be simple to use even for untrained people who may feeling a little...stressed out.

First, it's a one-handed application, which means that one could apply the tourniquet oneself if necessary. The process is what the company describes as "a simple 1-2-3." They provide clear instructions so even an untrained user can apply the tourniquet quickly...and you can't lose those instructions, because they're stitched on with weather-resistant and waterproof vinyl tags. The RapidStop is designed such that you can get it done with just your "gross motor controls," meaning that if your hands are shaky from stress or numb from cold, you'll still be able to get it latched.

Of course, it's always better to get an idea of what you're doing ahead of time if you can. In these times when finding in-person instruction has become something of a challenge, we're pleased to see that RapidStop offers a video tutorial...and even the tutorial is only 1 minute long. (You can watch it here.) 

The RapidStop Tourniquet is made in America and built to rugged military standards. The patented ratchet lever technology is made from the same polycarbonate used in the F-22 jet fighter's canopy. The tourniquet’s band is made from high-strength nylon webbing rated to a two-ton breaking point. RapidStop constructed the tourniquet to endure extreme temperatures and resist any corrosion, ensuring it stands true in the toughest of conditions--a true "set it and forget it" first-aid-kit addition.