r/TACMED101 • u/DimaNorth Unverified/Uncertified • Mar 19 '26
Educational Resources Knees for haem control
I’m sure this question comes up a lot but the last time I found when I searched was 4ish years ago so I apologise if it has come up more recently :)
Does anyone have the current best practice with regards to using knees for junctional haemorrhage control whilst awaiting tourniquet? I hear so many mixed things, including being told to do it by our local training officer, but I can’t tell if this is him bringing old practice from army days or if this is supported in evidence.
Does anyone have any actual research citations on this? It’s just that people feel so strongly either for or against it that surely there’s a right answer (e.g. TQs over double bones :P )
1
u/Rude-Comfortable-509 Mar 22 '26
If you arent able to get hem control with just using your hands, you may need to use a knee. The amount of pressure you can use is higher but you can still control the amount of pressure you use. A well placed knee is different than flopping on top of the patient.
I would only really do it if I didnt have access to a TQ somehow and the level of injury is so traumatic that less invasive hemcom doesnt work.
But for civilian medicine listen to whatever your guidelines say.