SWAT-T tourniquets are generally known as a easy and efficient tourniquet. Nonetheless, their rubber band-like development leads many to query: When do SWAT-T tourniquets expire?
SWAT-T tourniquets should not have a listed expiration date by the producer. Nonetheless, typically, it’s best to plan on changing them each 2-5 years. In case you have a sealed SWAT-T, you may get even longer use occasions out of them. With that stated, rotating SWAT-T tourniquets from “actual world” standing to “coaching” standing ensures you retain your abilities sharp and that your SWAT-T tourniquet stays contemporary.
Let’s speak about when it’s best to change your SWAT-T tourniquets, and tips on how to get as a lot life out of them as potential.
(picture through SWAT-T.com)
How Lengthy do SWAT-T Tourniquets Final?
You possibly can count on SWAT-T tourniquets to final anyplace from 3-5 years if they’re unopened (and you may even see them last more than that). Identical to something, how you take care of the tourniquet will influence how lengthy it lasts.
To be clear, the SWAT-T tourniquet is designed to be a single-use merchandise. Which means that, in the event you apply it to an actual affected person, it’s best to change the tourniquet with one thing new and contemporary. Nonetheless, in the event you’re simply utilizing the tourniquet for observe eventualities and coaching, then you definitely’ll haven’t any issues utilizing the tourniquet a number of occasions.
Listed below are some elements that influence SWAT-T tourniquet life:
Within the subsequent sections, I will break all this down in additional element.
UV Gentle and SWAT-T Tourniquets
The SWAT-T tourniquet is basically a giant rubber band. That being stated, it isn’t latex (so that you should not have points with those that are allergic), however the SWAT-T will break down if it is uncovered to daylight for prolonged durations of time.
For those who preserve the tourniquet in its packaging and out of direct daylight, then you definitely’ll get the longest lifespan out of the tourniquet.
Let’s speak about one other facet of SWAT-T tourniquets.
(picture through sofrep.com)
How You Retailer SWAT-T Tourniquets (Open or Closed)
After protecting the SWAT-T out of the daylight, the subsequent factor that may influence its lifespan is whether or not you retailer it open or closed. For those who go away the SWAT-T mendacity round open, then it is extra more likely to break down over time.
Not solely that, nevertheless it’s extra seemingly that the SWAT-T turns into broken when it is exterior of its unique packaging. This is likely one of the causes that it is not really useful to make use of a SWAT-T a number of occasions.
As a private (unscientific) word, I can let you know that I’ve left SWAT-T tourniquets exterior of their packaging for a number of years and located that they’re nonetheless loads sturdy. That being stated, what’s “potential” isn’t all the time “optimum.”
How typically you utilize the SWAT-T can even have an effect on how lengthy it lasts.
Re-using SWAT-T Tourniquets
The SWAT-T tourniquet could be very powerful, however ultimately, it would put on out. The extra that you simply use the SWAT-T tourniquet, the faster you may want to switch it. Whenever you use the SWAT-T a number of occasions, you cut back its lifespan in a number of methods.
First, the stretching and re-stretching of the rubber will ultimately trigger it to interrupt down. The SWAT-T tourniquet could be very comparable in consistency to the innertube in a bicycle tire. Whereas it is loads sturdy, it would put on out after repeated use.
Second, the extra you utilize the SWAT-T, the extra seemingly you might be to by chance tear the sting of it. That is significantly a difficulty when it is used for reside eventualities and will find yourself being minimize or torn (maybe by a trauma shear or a rescue hook).
Third, the SWAT-T is understood for the marking system on the rubber. Whenever you open the SWAT-T there might be what seems like diamonds printed on rubber. The concept is that you simply stretch the tourniquet as you wrap it across the limb, making the diamonds seem like squares, and thus understanding that you simply’re stretching tight sufficient.
Nonetheless, I’ve seen that these marking techniques fade barely over time. That is but another excuse that SWAT-T are in all probability finest left inside their unique packing if they’re in storage (or being staged for real-world use).
Injury to Your SWAT-T Tourniquets
In case your SWAT-T ought to develop into broken in any method, then it is time to change it. Personally, I believe the SWAT-T is fairly powerful, and it could be very troublesome to tear it along with your naked fingers. With that stated, it could possibly occur.
If the SWAT-T must be torn in half for any purpose, you wouldn’t wish to even try utilizing it on an grownup. The concept behind the SWAT-T is that, after wrapping it a number of occasions, you construct up excessive sufficient stress to occlude blood movement. Additionally, you wish to have a little bit additional size with the intention to safely safe the tourniquet.
Now let’s speak about what you are able to do to maximise the lifespan of your SWAT-T tourniquets.
(picture through swatmag.com)
The best way to Maximize The SWAT-T Tourniquet Lifespan
With all of our first-aid gear, the objective must be to make sure security. Whereas it is essential to watch out about prices, you do not wish to push your provides previous their cheap limits. The questions on expiration dates and kit lifespan are difficult topics as a result of sure gadgets do not have a transparent “throwaway date.”
Within the subsequent part, I’ll suggest a system that may allow you to keep away from defective gear, whereas additionally staying abreast of recent healthcare expertise. Bear in mind, generally the gear remains to be good – it is simply outdated.
For example, the previous CAT tourniquets operated with completely different options and requirements than the brand new CAT tourniquets. In consequence, many areas solely advocate utilizing the brand new CAT tourniquets. That is an instance of the expertise “expiring” earlier than the precise supplies. And, whereas I do not see the SWAT-T changing into out of date within the subsequent few years, medical requirements do change once in a while.
Listed below are just a few suggestions to enhance the performance of your SWAT-T:
See extra particulars under.
Rotate Your SWAT-T Tourniquets
The primary method you’ll be able to maximize your SWAT-T tourniquets is to rotate them. How does this work?
You begin by shopping for three SWAT-T tourniquets. You open one and prepare with it, and you’ve got two saved in a trauma equipment and prepared for real-world use. For those who use one of many real-world tourniquets, you change it. Nonetheless, in the event you do not use one among them, you change them each in two years. At that time, you do not throw them away, you utilize them for extra coaching.
This has two benefits.
First, it ensures that your real-world tourniquets do not go unhealthy. And second, it permits you to prepare in a real-world state of affairs. Eradicating the tourniquet from its packaging must be a part of your coaching, just like drawing a pistol from a holster.
Have Extra Than Simply the SWAT-T Tourniquet
As you may know, diversification is a giant deal within the monetary world. Seems, it may be essential in first support as properly. In my view, the SWAT-T is a robust product; nonetheless, it shouldn’t be your solely tourniquet. Whereas it has some good options, the SWAT-T doesn’t change the convenience of use that the SOF Tourniquet or CAT offers.
For those who’re fearful about an expired or outdated SWAT-T tourniquet, put your thoughts comfy by additionally carrying a conventional windlass-style tourniquet.
Examine Your SWAT-T Tourniquets Recurrently
Even when the SWAT-T is in its unique packaging, you’ll be able to nonetheless examine it for injury. There are a number of methods you are able to do this.
First, examine the packaging to make sure there aren’t any tears or punctures. If there are, then you definitely may think about changing it. Second, you’ll be able to squeeze the SWAT-T, feeling it to make sure that it is nonetheless pliable. If the SWAT-T felt agency or crusty, then it is in all probability time for a brand new one.
Think about an Replace
Lastly, even in the event you’re the kind of one that likes to keep up previous gear, know that within the medical discipline, new “generations” of instruments are sometimes well worth the swap. Why?
Effectively, it is not like a cellphone, the place the one profit the improve offers you is a greater digital camera and extra storage. With one thing like a tourniquet, new upgrades could be probably lifesaving, and can at the least make the rescuer’s job a little bit simpler.
Whereas I’m not conscious that the SWAT-T tourniquets might be up to date anytime quickly, you by no means know what might occur within the subsequent couple of years. It pays to pay attention to any adjustments within the trade.
Conclusion: SWAT-T Expiration Date
SWAT-T tourniquets should not have an official expiration date. With that stated, it’s best to think about changing your SWAT-T each couple of years. This offers you the possibility to open the previous ones and prepare with them whereas making certain that you’ve some contemporary new SWAT-Ts able to go.
You should definitely examine your SWAT-T tourniquets repeatedly. Additionally, needless to say expertise and medical tips might change within the years forward, so preserve your eyes on that.
If you would like to study extra about tourniquets, take a look at this text on whether or not CAT tourniquets expire.
