01/19/2026
Most people assume that if someone has been trained to use a tourniquet, they will be able to use it when it matters.
That assumption may be wrong.
A recent study found that even trained officers struggled to self-apply a tourniquet once real physiologic stress and simulated blood loss were introduced. The issue was not placement, it was tightening. Stress, dizziness, and loss of strength made it difficult to complete the skill before symptoms progressed.
That matters far beyond law enforcement.
Bleeding control is not just about having the equipment or knowing the steps. It is about whether someone can perform under stress, when heart rate is elevated and time is limited.
At FACTS – First Aid & CPR Training Services, we focus on bleeding control training that reflects how people actually perform, not just how skills look in a calm setting. This is critical for workplaces, community organizations, and any environment where serious injury is possible.
If your team has bleeding control kits but has not trained realistically with them, this is a conversation worth having.
A police officer is shot and alone.
Can they get a tourniquet on themselves before losing consciousness?
Turns out...maybe not.
A new study simulated hemorrhagic shock in law enforcement officers to see if they could successfully self-apply a tourniquet under real physiologic stress.
These were trained officers wearing full tactical gear, using standard CATs, in a controlled environment. The results weren’t encouraging.
Under normal conditions, 10 out of 12 officers successfully applied the tourniquet. But under simulated hypovolemic shock—mimicking blood loss from major trauma—that number dropped to 8 out of 12. One officer passed out before completing the application. Another developed presyncopal symptoms.
All failures were due to inadequate tightening, not incorrect placement. And while average application time didn’t change much (around 30 seconds in both conditions), it became clear that physiological stress (low blood pressure, increased heart and respiratory rates, dizziness, paresthesia) had a meaningful impact on success.
Interestingly, officers from tactical units (like SWAT) generally performed better, likely due to frequent high-stress training. Patrol officers had more difficulty.
So why does this matter for EMS? Because we’re often the next link in the chain...or the only one.
These findings support a push for more realistic, stress-based TQ training for LEOs, especially solo officers. This is something worth bringing up at your next joint training day or during Stop the Bleed refreshers.
Bottom line: even a well-trained officer may struggle to apply a TQ under stress. EMS should be aware, ready to assist, and advocate for better prep on the law enforcement side.
Read the full study here:
https://www.handtevy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Evaluating-Tourniquet-Application-in-Law-Enforcement-Officers-During-Simulated-Hemorrhagic-Shock.pdf
