Lake Macquarie beaches deploy military-grade smart tourniquets
Lake Macquarie lifeguards became the first in Australia to use smart tourniquets that stop severe bleeding in seconds.
Lake Macquarie lifeguards became the first in Australia to adopt the TAK710 smart tourniquet. The devices rolled out across Redhead, Blacksmiths, Caves Beach and Catherine Hill Bay from Saturday.
The device applies pressure within 10 seconds using one hand. The device automatically adjusts to match the patient's blood pressure.
Unlike standard tourniquets, it records vital data on a circuit board for hospital staff. It can retighten if needed.
A trauma specialist training the lifeguards said this device is crucial for serious injuries like shark attacks. The tourniquet has four steps: clip it on, pull it tight, pull the safety pin, and press one button.
It includes a timer so doctors know exactly how long it has been applied. A tourniquet cannot stay on indefinitely without risking limb damage.
- TAK710
- Device model
- 10 seconds with one hand
- Application time
Why it mattersSmart tourniquets give lifeguards a faster, more reliable way to save lives in medical emergencies, reducing the guesswork in life-or-death situations.
