Hemorrhage control by law enforcement personnel: a survey of knowledge translation from the military combat experience.

Background: Military data demonstrate that exsanguinating hemorrhage is the leading cause of potentially preventable combat death. The purpose of this study was to evaluate attitudes and approaches of civilian law enforcement personnel in the management of acute hemorrhagic trauma.

Methods: Anonymous survey administered via an online distribution mechanism.

Results: 1,317 U.S. law enforcement personnel began the survey. 370 respondents (30.4%) reported their agencies issued tourniquets, whereas 48.8% indicated their agencies had provided specific training in tourniquet application. Pressure dressings were provided to 43.6% of respondents while hemostatic agents were available to 29.8%. Tourniquets were considered the intervention most likely to save a life, but were also deemed most likely to possibly cause harm or injury if used inappropriately. 43 respondents (0.036%) stated they were aware of circumstances within the past year in which an officer in their agency sustained injuries where a tourniquet could have been used, but was not.

Conclusions: Hemorrhage control supplies are being issued to less than half of the responding officers. When used, these interventions were generally thought to be effective. Further study is needed to delineate specific medical interventions, and therefore training and equipment, needed by law enforcement personnel.