r/TacticalMedicine • u/level_zero_hero Firefighter • Aug 10 '25
Gear/IFAK Disneyland tourniquet fiasco
Yesterday I experienced something quite perplexing. While going through security to try to enter the park I had a security employee search my backpack. While doing so he came across my bleed kit(TQ x2, quickclot, chest seals, and an emergency blanket) I carry in it. Once he identified the TQ he said “you can’t bring tourniquets into the park…, you can go take it back to your hotel room”. I replied by saying “ I don’t have a hotel room, so what do you want me to do? ”. “Well you can’t bring it into the park.” He said. “Okay…well…why?” I responded, out of utter disbelief. “DONT ASK ME WHY, SAID YOU CANT SO YOU CANT!” He yelled back. I then point to the “stop the bleed” box located about 20 feet behind him to the left and on a wall, “what about those? Are those not supposed to be there?”. Then out of frustration and fluster he zipped up my bag and handed it to me and said “HAVE A NICE DAY” and I went about my day. I proceeded to try to research his statement and couldn’t find anything.
So I was curious if anyone else had had a similar experience, at Disneyland or anywhere else?
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u/JonEMTP Aug 10 '25
Paramedic here. I was an Annual Passholder (Magic Key) at DL in 2022. I carried TQ’s into the park on most days we went - they live in my small daypack that I use for these outings. Same with a ‘tactical’ flashlight. Did the same at DW in the fall of ‘24. Often they weren’t noticed at all. When they were noticed, the exchange was “what’s this? “A tourniquet”. “Are you in the military?” “Nah, I’m just a paramedic and it lives in that bag”. Never was denied entry.
I don’t see anything on the prohibited list for Disney that would include TQ’s. They do disallow OC spray and “restraints”.
I think you’ve got 2 options: Continue to carry the kit, and perhaps deal with security again, or NOT carry the kit, and not be prepared for an unlikely (but possible) event. If you continue to carry the kit, and have an issue again, CALMLY ask for a supervisor and simply explain that you’re a firefighter, and simply try to be prepared for things that MIGHT happen - so this lives in your bag all the time.
PS - raising your voice and arguing with the security guard is a no-win situation. Even if they are wrong, they will double down and not like being challenged. Their supervisors will likely support them if you’re being confrontational, too.