Research Library
(Outside Research on Tourniquets in General)
Why AutoTQ?
Third-party, peer-reviewed research consistently highlights dangerously high failure rates when laypeople attempt to use traditional tourniquets without guidance. Under extreme stress, proper application becomes incredibly difficult. We thought: why has no one made a tourniquet that talks you through bleeding control?
84%
Failure Rate
Laypeople applying traditional tourniquets with zero instructions (16% success rate).
View 2018 Study →
80%
Failure Rate
Untrained public attempting hemorrhage control without intervention guidance (20% success rate).
View 2015 Study →
78%
Failure Rate
Documented failure in arterial occlusion by the untrained public using standard TQs (22% success rate).
View 2023 Study →
When developing AutoTQ, our team relied on decades of tourniquet research, and many conversations with expert physicians, nurses, EMS professionals, and more.
We are sharing these studies on our website for the purpose of general scientific background and knowledge. The studies listed below are provided solely as general scientific background on tourniquet physiology, hemorrhage control, and tourniquet-related risks. Inclusion of these publications does not imply that AutoTQ has been evaluated, validated, endorsed, or compared within these studies. AutoTQ’s design, testing, and regulatory status are described separately in its own product documentation.
Tourniquet Pressure & Physiology (not AutoTQ)
Masri BA, Eisen A, Duncan CP, McEwen JA. Tourniquet-induced nerve compression injuries are caused by high pressure levels and gradients–a review of the evidence to guide safe surgical, pre-hospital and blood flow restriction usage. BMC Biomedical Engineering. 2020 Dec;2:1-8.
Masri, B. A. (2020). Tourniquet-induced nerve compression injuries and related complications. BioMed Central Biomedical Engineering.
Graham, B., Breault, M. J., McEwen, J. A., & McGraw, R. W. (1993). "Occlusion of arterial flow in the extremities at subsystolic pressures through the use of wide tourniquet cuffs." Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 286, 257–261.
Kovar, F. M., et al. (2015). "Nerve compression and pain in human volunteers with narrow vs wide tourniquets." World Journal of Orthopedics, 6(4), 394–399.
Kragh, J. F., Jr., et al. (2019). "Ease of Use of Emergency Tourniquets on Simulated Limbs of Infants: Deliberate Practice." Journal of Special Operations Medicine, 19(2), 41-47.
Liu, H., et al. (2013). "Development of adaptive pneumatic tourniquet systems based on minimal inflation pressure for upper limb surgeries." BioMedical Engineering OnLine, 12, 92.
J. McEwen and V. Casey, “Measurement of Hazardous Pressure Levels and Gradients Produced on Human Limbs by Non-Pneumatic Tourniquets”, CMBES Proc., vol. 32, no. 1, May 2009.
Ochoa, J., et al. (1972). "Anatomical changes in peripheral nerves compressed by a pneumatic tourniquet." Journal of Anatomy, 113(3).
Crenshaw, A. G., et al. (1988). "Wide tourniquet cuffs more effective at lower inflation pressures." Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica, 59(4).
Pedowitz, R. A., et al. (1993). "The use of lower tourniquet inflation pressures in extremity surgery facilitated by curved and wide tourniquets and an integrated cuff inflation system." Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, (287), 237-44.
Wall, P. L., et al. (2013). "Tourniquets and occlusion: the pressure of design." Military Medicine, 178(5), 578–587.
Wall, P. L., Hingtgen, E., & Buising, C. M. (2021). "Pressure Responses of Tourniquet Practice Models to Calibrated Force Applications." Journal of Special Operations Medicine, 21(2), 11-17.
Hemorrhage Control, Trauma Care & Survival
Barron, M. R., et al. (2017). "Smartphone-based mobile thermal imaging technology to assess limb perfusion and tourniquet effectiveness under normal and blackout conditions." Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 83(6), 1129-1135.
Berry, C., et al. (2023). "Prehospital hemorrhage control and treatment by clinicians: A joint position statement." Prehospital Emergency Care, 27(5), 544-551.
Busse, E., et al. (2020). "Plasma flow distal to tourniquet placement provides a physiological mechanism for tissue salvage." PLoS ONE, 15(12), e0244236.
Eastridge, B. J., et al. "Death on the Battlefield (2001-2011): Implications for the Future of Combat Casualty Care." Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 73(6 Suppl 5), S431-7.
Gabbitas, J., et al. (2023). "Smart Tactical Application Tourniquet Versus Combat Application Tourniquet: Comparing Layperson Applications for Arterial Occlusion After a Video Demonstration." Cureus, 15(7), e42615.
Kauvar, D. S., Miller, D., & Walters, T. J. (2018). "Tourniquet use is not associated with limb loss following military lower extremity arterial trauma." Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 85(3), 495-499.
Kragh, J. F., Jr., & Dubick, M. A. (2016). "Battlefield tourniquets: lessons learned in moving current care toward best care in an army medical department at war." US Army Medical Department Journal, 29-36.
Kragh, J. F., Jr., et al. (2011). "Battle casualty survival with emergency tourniquet use to stop limb bleeding." The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 41(6), 590-7.
Kragh, J. F., Jr., et al. (2011). "Minor morbidity with emergency tourniquet use to stop bleeding in severe limb trauma: Research, history, and reconciling advocates and abolitionists." Military Medicine, 176(7), 817–823.
Latif, R. K., et al. (2023). "Traumatic hemorrhage and chain of survival." Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, 31, 25.
Nyberger, K., et al. (2023). "A systematic review of hemorrhage and vascular injuries in civilian public mass shootings." Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, 31, 30.
Sabate-Ferris, A., et al. (2021). "Prolonged tactical tourniquet application for extremity combat injuries during war against terrorism in the Sahelian strip." European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery.
Tourniquet Misuse / Complications Shown in Literature
Ross, E. M., et al. (2018). "The tourniquet gap: A pilot study of the intuitive placement of three tourniquet types by laypersons." The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 54(3), 307-314
Jazottes, H., et al. (2024). Morbidity associated with pre-hospital upper-limb tourniquet use. Journal of Emergency Medical Services.
Masri, B. A. (2020). Tourniquet-induced nerve compression injuries and related complications. BioMed Central Biomedical Engineering.
Chorna, V. V. (2025). Assessment of the effectiveness and risks of using tourniquets in the Armed Forces of Ukraine during hostilities in Ukraine [Systematic review]. TRAUMA Journal.
Lukiianchuk, V., et al. (2025). Morbidity and mortality associated with ischemia following prolonged tourniquet use in combat extremity injuries. Military Medicine.
East Association for the Surgery of Trauma. (2024). Military trauma literature review: Tourniquet complications and prolonged application in the Russo-Ukrainian war.
Xacur-Trabulce, A., et al. (2025). Tourniquet-related complications in extremity injuries: A systematic review. World Journal of Emergency Surgery, 20(1).
Military & Government Guidelines
Joint Trauma System. (2021). Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Guidelines.
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center. (2017). Tactical Combat Casualty Care Best Practices.