Tourniquet Training for Laypersons Is Most Effective In-Person

Several modalities are used for training laypeople in the use of tourniquets. To compare their effectiveness, researchers randomized nonmedical employees at a football stadium to one of four groups: in-person course (lecture followed by hands-on training); point-of-care audio kit (audio instructions plus diagrams); point-of-care flashcard (diagrams and text); or no instruction.

Each participant was presented with a simulated amputation scenario and a bleeding control kit that contained a tourniquet (course and control groups) or tourniquet plus the assigned point-of-care instructional materials. Tourniquet application was assessed, and afterwards, participants in the audio, flashcard, and control groups received the in-person training. Final…