Lee County Deploys AutoTQ® Kits Alongside Public AEDs in County Parks to Strengthen Community Emergency Preparedness 

Lee County, FL – January 8, 2026 – Lee County Public Safety has partnered with Golden Hour Medical, Inc. to deploy 25 AutoTQ® Automatic Tourniquet kits throughout Lee County public parks and recreation locations, placed alongside city-managed automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to enhance public access to lifesaving emergency care. The integration of AutoTQ® into existing AED cabinets expands the County’s ability to address both sudden cardiac arrest and life-threatening bleeding emergencies in public spaces.

Uncontrolled bleeding remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in trauma, particularly in outdoor and recreational environments where injuries can occur far from immediate medical assistance. By pairing AutoTQ® with AEDs, Lee County is creating a more comprehensive emergency response system that empowers bystanders to act during critical moments before first responders arrive.

“A tourniquet is used to stop life-threatening bleeding when it cannot be controlled by conventional means like direct pressure,” said Colin Johnson, Deputy Chief of Lee County Emergency Medical Services. “You want to utilize a tourniquet quickly to stop that bleeding and save someone’s life. Knowing how to use [AutoTQ] is going to help save someone’s life.”

AutoTQ® bleeding control kits placed throughout Lee County parks include an automated inflator and limb-specific cuffs designed for both arms and legs. With one-button activation and audio prompts, the device applies consistent, lifesaving pressure while reducing the application errors commonly associated with traditional tourniquets.

“These devices are designed for public use,” Johnson added. “If someone has concerns, calling 911 allows our communications center to walk them through using a tourniquet, including these devices.”

The AutoTQ® devices are housed alongside AEDs within publicly accessible emergency cabinets throughout Lee County parks. This dual-access approach ensures bystanders can respond effectively to both cardiac and traumatic bleeding emergencies.

“If you open the cabinet, you’ll find both an AED and bleeding control equipment,” said Cory Witte, Lieutenant, Lee County Emergency Medical Services. “These two tools work together to help save someone’s life before first responders arrive.”

By integrating automated bleeding control with established AED infrastructure, Lee County is strengthening its commitment to community safety and public preparedness, giving residents and visitors the tools needed to respond confidently during emergencies.

For more information about AutoTQ®, please visit www.theautotq.com or contact [email protected]. 

Media Contact:
Gabriella Martinez
Email: [email protected]